Mexico Reaches Gold Cup Knockout Spherical After Beating Suriname on Montes' Brace

Defender Cesar Montes scored twice in a six-minute span within the second half and defending champion Mexico struggled early however managed to get previous Suriname 2-0 on Wednesday night time to safe a spot within the knockout spherical of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Montes opened the scoring on a header off a nook kick within the 57 and added one other aim within the 63rd minute for the Mexicans, who defeated the Dominican Republic 3-2 within the opening match of the match.

With three targets within the match, the 28-year-old defender, who performs for Lokomotiv of Moscow, presently shares the scoring lead with Costa Rican Manfred Ugalde.

“I’m excited in regards to the targets, however the precedence is conserving a clear sheet. I clearly didn’t think about it; that’s what strikers are for, however so long as I will help the group in that means, I’ll do it,” Montes mentioned.

Montes had scored solely as soon as in his 53 earlier nationwide group video games earlier than to the Gold Cup, in a pleasant match towards Panama in June 2021.

With the win, Mexico leads Group A with six factors and can play Costa Rica subsequent Sunday in Las Vegas aiming to safe the primary place forward of the second spherical.

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The Costa Ricans are lead by former Mexican coach Miguel Herrera, who managed el Tri within the 2014 World Cup.

“Now we have an intense match developing. It’s an good group. Miguel is a revered coach in Mexico, and he’ll positively need to beat us. However we’re going to exit and work exhausting and attempt to struggle for the group lead,” added Montes.

The Mexicans lead the group on aim distinction and can safe the highest spot with a draw.

“We knew it was a tough group and that’s the way it has been to date, though it won’t seem to be it due to the 2 wins, but it surely wasn’t simple,” Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre mentioned.

The Costa Ricans defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 earlier for his or her second win of the Gold Cup and likewise certified for the second spherical. Suriname and the Dominicans are eradicated.

Suriname has misplaced all 4 official matches performed towards Mexico and can attempt to shut the match with a win after they play the debutant Dominican Republic subsequent Sunday.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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