Mexico reaches Gold Cup quarterfinals with Martinique defeat

Denver, CO – Mexico solidified its place in the Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday after posting a 3-1 victory over Martinique in Group A play at Sports Authority Field.

El Tri was on the brink of major disappointment after a 2-1 loss to Panama in its opening match of the tournament, but Jose Manuel de la Torre's side rebounded nicely with a 2-0 win over Canada in their last outing.

Mexico opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Marco Fabian collected a fortunate rebound in front of goal and easily deposited it past Martinique goalkeeper Kevin Olimpa to put his side in front.

13 minutes later it was 2-0 for Mexico as Luis Montes unleashed a wicked strike from well outside the penalty area that flew into the top right corner of the net, leaving Olimpa with no chance for a save.

Two minutes before the break, Martinique received a bit of good luck as Miguel Layun pulled down Steve Gustan in the box, resulting in a spot kick.

Kevin Parsemain lined up the kick and buried it into the lower right corner to pull Martinique within one at halftime.

But Mexico put the game away in stoppage time when Layun sent a nice low cross into the box from the right wing and Miguel Ponce was there on the back post to hammer it home, sending Mexico through to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the second-place team from Group B on July 20.

In Sunday's other Group A action, Panama clinched the top spot in the group after playing to a tame 0-0 draw with Canada.

Panama will face the third-place side from either Group B or C with the result, while Canada is eliminated from the tournament without scoring a goal in three group stage matches.