It was another impressive display by Mexico under interim manager Jaime Lozano, as El Tri downed Haiti 3-1 to qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals and claim the top spot in Group B.
Mexico decided the match in the second half with a Henry Martin goal just one minute after the break. They doubled the lead on a Haiti own goal 10 minutes later, and then sealed the victory with a Santi Gimenez goal seven minutes from time.
At one point Haiti cut the deficit to a single goal (2-1) with a corner kick header goal as set pieces continued to plague Mexico. But there was no question which team was the aggressor with Mexico outshooting Haiti by an incredible 32-6.
With two wins in two games, Mexico are now on maximum points and they are guaranteed to finish in the top two places in Group B, thus securing a place in the quarterfinals. It would take a Mexico loss by several goals in the finale against Qatar to see them bumped offf the top spot.
MORE: 2023 Gold Cup bracket and schedule
Updated Group B standings
The top two teams advance to the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
| Team | Pts | W-D-L | Goals Scored |
Goal Diff. |
| 1. Mexico | 6 | 2-0-0 | 7 | +6 |
| 2. Haiti | 3 | 1-0-1 | 3 | -1 |
| 3. Qatar | 1 | 0-1-1 | 2 | -1 |
| 4. Honduras | 1 | 0-1-1 | 1 | -4 |
Mexico vs Haiti final score
| Final | Goal scorers | |
| Mexico | 3 | Henry Martin (Uriel Antuna) 46' Ricardo Ade (own goal) 56' Santi Gimenez (Uriel Antuna) 83' |
| Haiti | 1 | Danley Jean Jacques 78' |
Lineups:
Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 13-Ochoa (GK) — 19-J. Sanchez (2-Araujo, 62'), 4-Alvarez, 5-Vasquez, 23-Gallardo — 14-E. Sanchez (8-Charly 71'), 7-Romo, 18-Chavez (21-Reyes 79') — 15-Antuna, 20-Martin (11-Gimenez 62'), 17-Pineda (10-Alvarado 72').
Haiti (4-4-2, right to left): 1-Pierre (GK) — 2-Arcus, 4-Ade, 6-Metusala, 22-Christian — 14-Picault (7-Antoine 57'), 18-Sainte (8-Pierre 86'), 17-Jean Jacques, 10-Guerrier (13-Jairo Jean 57') — 20-Pierrot (16-Prunier 86'), 9-Nazon (11-Etienne, 72')
How Jaime Lozano led Mexico to victory
That's two matches and two wins for interim manager 'Jimmy' Lozano and in just two games the team has a clear identity — attack, attack, and attack.
It wasn't easy against Haiti during a scoreless first half in which Mexico struggled to break through the Haitian defensive wall and also nearly paid the price on a couple of Haitian counterattacks.
But Lozano had an effective halftime talk because the team came out aggressive, direct, with quicker decision-making on the ball, and more pace on the passing. The energized approach immediately produced a goal, and it was smooth sailing from there.
For someone who was thrown into a combustible situation, Lozano has managed the team and the media expertly, showing every step of the way that he appears cut out for the role, at least in the early going.
Uriel Antuna stars for Mexico
Along with Henry Martin, winger Uriel Antuna has been a favorite target of fans when they are critical of the team, as recently as in the Nations League third-place match just three matches ago, when he was booed off the pitch.
But on Thursday Antuna showed the game-breaking quality that has made him a regular on the Mexican national team in recent years. He assisted two of Mexico's three goals with pinpoint crosses that found his teammates in stride from the right wing.
"When you give him clear direction, Uriel is a player who can give you performances like that," said Lozano, who has indicated on more than one occasion his preference for clear, simple instructions for the players. The messages are being heard loud and clear by more than just Antuna.
Henry Martin or Santi Gimenez at forward?
The forward situation — and specifically the lack of goals produced by forwards — has been a source of frustration for Mexican national team fans. But on Thursday they got goals from both Henry Martin and his replacement Santi Gimenez.
Martin once again reprised his role at the Olympics: plenty of movement, excellent back-to-goal play, and selfless running for his teammates. As Lozano pointed out postgame, there's a reason why Martin topped the scoring charts in Mexico and continues to be called up to the national team and play for storied Club America at the age of 30.
He was replaced by Santi Gimenez, who is more of a finisher than a player who seeks to participate in the buildup. And those finishing instincts were on full display for his goal which sealed the win, a well-timed, sliding finish. Or a "golazo" as Lozano called it — a striker's goal.
"It's tough to pick between the two," Lozano said about his decision on whom to start at center forward. "The player who takes advantage of his chances will play. I'd love to play both, but I need someone to bring off the bench."
Mexico vs Haiti updates, highlights and commentary from Gold Cup 2023
Final: Mexico 3-1 Haiti
90th min.: Three minutes of stoppage time. Mexico are about to virtually win Group B with a game to spare.
83rd min.: Goal Mexico! Just when things looked shaky for El Tri, it's a deadly counter launched by Luis Romo. He sends Uriel Antuna down the right, and Antuna's cross finds a crashing Santi Gimenez at the far post for the sliding finish.
78th min.: Goal Haiti! On a corner kick it's Danley Jean Jacques with the header that beats Memo Ochoa. And a set piece hurts Mexico once again. Jean Jackques was simply stronger than the defenders in his vicinity.
72nd min.: SUBS. More replacements coming on. Mexico have one sub left, Haiti have two remaining.
69th min.: Mexico is in total control and it feels like the third goal is a matter of time. El Tri are not taking their foot off the pedal.
57th min.: SUBS. Haiti immediately bring in two fresh wide players (Antoine and Jean), while Mexico will give Julian Araujo some extended time at right-back in place of Jorge Sanchez, who will be suspended from the final group match.
56th min.: Goal Mexico! What a team goal! It was a lightning quick transition, and so well executed. Mexico attacked in an all-out sprint and Jesus Gallardo got it on the left and his cross was deflected by Ricardo Ade into his own net. But Orbelin Pineda was there right behind him and would have scored.
49th min.: Chance Mexico! Jorge Sanchez aggressively attacks a corner kick delivery in the Haiti box, but his header bounces wide left. Mexico are inspired to start this second half.
46th min.: Goal Mexico! Uriel Antuna on the right side creates space for himself to cross it and his ball finds Henry Martin's head in stride. It's a sensational start to the second half.
46th min.: Second half is underway and Mexico is immediately on the front foot.
Halftime: Mexico 0-0 Haiti
Halftime: Mexico have kept up the attack-minded approach from the Honduras match, though with a little less sparkle. But with a little luck, they would've had the lead by now. They've outshot Haiti 19-3, but Edson Alvarez and Henry Martin couldn't put away El Tri's best looks. Mexico are still the most likely team to score.
Meanwhile, Haiti remain dangerous on the break and could still cause trouble in the second half. But if Haiti want to win, they have to put away the few great chances they get. Wilde-Donald Guerrier failed to do that on a Mexico mistake in the first half.
42nd min.: Chance Mexico! This time it's a gift from Haiti to Mexico with a fortuitous deflection on a Mexico cross falling perfectly into the path of Henry Martin, but he can't get it past the goalkeeper.
38th min.: It's Mexico target practice on the Haiti net, but the Haitians fend off every Mexico chance.
29th min.: Chance Haiti! It's a gift from Mexico's Luis Romo, who dishes a no-look pass in his own box right at Hati No. 10 Guerrier who telegraphs his shot right at Memo Ochoa.
28th min.: Mexico are pushing down the flanks, but Haiti are repelling everything that El Tri are throwing at them. Henry Martin, Orbelin Pineda, and Uriel Antuna have all been quiet.
19th min.: YELLOW card to Mexico right-back Jorge Sanchez for a high boot into the body of Haiti No. 10 Wilde-Donald Guerrier. It was reckless and an obvious caution and now Jorge Sanchez misses the next match (second yellow card of the tournament).
16th min.: YELLOW card to Haiti forward Pierrot, who extended the arm into the face of Mexican defender Johan Vasquez and it's an immediate caution card for a stray arm.
9th min.: Chance Mexico! A corner kick is sent into the path of Mexico right-back Jorge Sanchez and he takes the shot on the volley, sending it just high of the target.
5th min.: Chance Haiti! It came on the counter — Haiti are dangerous in transition — and it's Haiti right-back Carlens Arcus who gets off the final shot and it hits the side netting. That was a close call for Mexico.
4th min.: Chance Mexico! Luis Chavez sends a free-kick right at the Haiti goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre, who bobbles it and Edson Alvarez jumps on the loose ball and slams it off the right post!
1st min.: Mexico kick us off. Haiti in a 4-4-2 and Mexico in a 4-3-3 with the El Tri's midfielders expected to crash the box often.
5 mins to kickoff: Teams walk out on the field. Haiti are in red, and Mexico are wearing a special jersey: the El Tri Femenil women's jersey. Anthems up next with Haiti going first.
30 mins to kickoff: With the 1-1 draw between Qatar and Honduras, thanks to an Alberth Elis goal deep in second-half stoppage time, Mexico or Haiti can mathematically qualify to the quarterfinals with a victory tonight.
1 hour to kickoff: Haiti make two changes to their lineup for the second match of the group stage. Wilde Donald Guerrier (for Derrick Etienne Jr. at attacking mid) and Danley Jean Jacques (for Bryan Alceus in central midfield).
1 hour, 30 mins to kickoff: According to a reporter on the ground in Glendale, Mexico will field the same lineup they did against Honduras:
2 hours to kickoff: One player Mexico will need to keep an eye on is Haiti attacking midfielder Derrick Etienne, who was born in the USA and plays for Atlanta United. He had two or three good scoring chances against Qatar that he'll believe he should've done better with.
Mexico vs Haiti lineups
Lozano makes no changes to the side that executed to perfection in his first game in charge against Honduras. Center-back Cesar Montes and left-back Gerardo Arteaga are still suspended for their role in incidents in the Nations League semifinal against the USA. Arteaga will return for the third and final group match, while Montes will be eligible for a subsequent quarterfinal.
Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): 13-Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — 19-Jorge Sanchez, 4-Edson Alvarez, 5-Johan Vasquez, 23-Jesus Gallardo — 14-Erick Sanchez, 7-Luis Romo, 18-Luis Chavez — 15-Uriel Antuna, 20-Henry Martin, 17-Orbelin Pineda.
Mexico subs (10): 1-Jose Antonio Rodriguez (GK), 12-Luis Angel Malagon (GK), 2-Julian Araujo, 21-Israel Reyes, 22-Victor Guzman, 8-Carlos 'Charly' Rodriguez, 16-Diego Lainez, 10-Roberto Alvarado, 9-Ozziel Herrera, 11-Santiago Gimenez.
Manager Gabriel Calderon made two changes to his lineup, introducing No. 10 Wilde-Donald Guerrier in place of dynamic attacker Derrick Etienne Jr., who plays for Atlanta United. And Danley Jean Jacques replaces Bryan Alceus in central midfield.
Haiti lineup (4-4-2, right to left): 1-Alexandre Pierre (GK) — 2-Carlens Arcus, 4-Ricardo Ade, 6-Garven Metusala, 22-Alex Christian — 14-Fafa Picault, 18-Carl Sainte, 17-Danley Jean Jacques — 10-Wilde-Donald Guerrier — 20-Frantzdy Pierrot, 9-Duckens Nazon
Haiti subs (12): 23-Garissone Innocent (GK), 12-Josue Duverger (GK), 15-Steven Seance, 3-Jeppe Simonsen, 5-Djimy Alexis, 19-Steeven Saba, 8-Leverton Pierre, 11-Derrick Etienne, 21-Bryan Alceus, 13-Jairo Jean, 7-Carnejy Antoine, 16-Mondy Prunier
MORE: How to watch the Gold Cup in the USA
Watch Mexico vs Haiti live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch the Mexico vs. Haiti group stage match in the USA and Canada:
USA
- Date: Thursday, June 29
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- USA TV channel: FS1, Univision, TUDN
- USA live streaming: Fubo, TUDN site/app, Fox Sports site/app
The Mexico vs. Haiti match will be televised in the USA on FS1 (English), Univision and TUDN (Spanish), with all three channels streaming on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
Fans who are subscribed to cable, satellite or telco packages can use their authenticated credentials to access the match on the Fox Sports and TUDN site and app, as well as Univision NOW.
Canada
- Date: Thursday, June 29
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Canada TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Ch. 980)
- Canada live streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app
Fans in Canada can watch Mexico vs. Haiti on OneSoccer, which is carried on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980) and streamed on Fubo Canada.
OneSoccer subscribers can also watch the match on OneSoccer's site and app.