Mexico ended Haiti’s Cinderella run at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup through a penalty kick converted by Raul Jimenez at the start of extra time on Tuesday night.
El Tri’s 1-0 victory in Phoenix clinched their first spot in the continental final since 2015, when they won their last title.
In the 92nd minute, Jimenez confidently ran up to the ball, hesitated for a second to throw off Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide and finished into the right side of the net.
RAUL JIMENEZ 💪🇲🇽
Mexico are awarded a penalty just 3 minutes into extra time and Jimenez sends it home with ease. #GoldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/xNsBHDczHh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2019
The goal was the fifth of the tournament for Jimenez, who is now the top scorer left in the tournament.
Mexico was awarded the penalty after Herve Bazile appeared to make a slight amount of contact with the boot of Jimenez at the top of the box.
Penalty or nah?
Here's the foul that resulted in the penalty to give Mexico the lead ⬇️ #GoldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/uh9OHG2GL5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2019
El Tri controlled the majority of the scoring chances in extra time, but Haiti had one golden chance in the 119th minute to level the contest.
Mikael Cantave struck a beautiful shot from the top of the box, but his attempt struck the top-right part of the crossbar.
Although it failed to make a surprise appearance in the final, Haiti did itself proud over 120 minutes by frustrating El Tri to force extra time.
Placide, who is a free agent, came up with four saves and the back line remained organized despite the constant threat from the continental powerhouse.
Mexico will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between the United States and Jamaica in Sunday’s final at Soldier Field in Chicago.