CONCACAF Gold Cup Wrap: Mexico into quarters

Mexico are into the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals after a 3-1 win over Martinique on Sunday as Panama finished top of Group A.

Minnows Martinique surprised Canada in their opening match and pushed Panama, but they were no match for Mexico.

Marco Fabian, Luis Montes and Miguel Ponce scored for Mexico at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Colorado.

Kevin Parsemain had pulled a goal back for Martinique with a penalty late in the first half, but Ponce’s late effort sealed the result for Jose de la Torre’s men.

A draw would have been enough for Mexico, but they made the perfect start when Fabian opened the scoring on 21 minutes.

They had several chances before Kevin Olimpa could only parry a powerful Rafael Marquez strike, and Fabian was on hand to put away the rebound.

Montes doubled Mexico’s lead on 34 minutes with a strike into the bottom corner before Martinique pulled one back.

Parsemain was brought down in the area by Alejandro Castro and he made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Both teams had their chances in the second half before Ponce sealed the win for Mexico, tapping in a Miguel Layun cross from the right.

In the other game, Panama and Canada played out a scoreless draw.

It ensured Panama finished top of the group, while Canada complete the tournament without a win and having failed to score.