Alexis Vega scored the crucial opening goal early in the second half to help Mexico to a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday.
Mexico, which also benefited from a late own goal, will now play Honduras in the semifinals on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, as they look to stay on course to retain their title and win a record-extending 10th Concacaf crown.
Mexico was without midfielder Luis Chávez after he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in training ahead of the quarterfinal, while midfielder César Montes was suspended. Instead coach Javier Aguirre handed a debut to Gilberto Mora, who at 16 years, 219 days, became the youngest ever debutant for El Tri.
The holders managed just one shot on target in the first half as it was frustrated by a Saudi Arabia team that conceded only two goals, and scored only two, in the group phase.
The tension escalated just before the halftime break — Saudi Arabia’s Ali Majrashi and Mexico’s Jesús Gallardo were both being shown yellow cards after the two exchanged shoves.
Gallardo will be suspended for the semifinal round because he has too many yellow cards in the tournament.
But Aguirre’s side came out with renewed purpose at the start of the second. Shortly after Marcel Ruiz clipped the crossbar, Vega broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.
Mexico celebrates Alexis Vega’s opening goal against Saudi Arabia.
After running onto a through ball from Raúl Jiménez, Vega had his initial shot saved by goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi but the Toluca forward gleefully snapped up the rebound. While a flag was raised on the field for offside, it didn’t take long for VAR to overturn the decision and award the goal.
It was Vega’s seventh goal for Mexico and ended a 19-game drought with the national team. It also ended a dry spell for Mexico, which scored for the first time in 166 minutes of play. Vega celebrated by holding aloft the jersey of injured teammate Chávez.
With Saudi Arabia unable to offer any threat going forward, Mexico all but assured its win with nine minutes remaining. As Santiago Gimenez looked to get on the end of a cross from fellow substitute Mateo Chávez, Saudi Arabia defender Abdullah Madu turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.
The result ended Saudi Arabia’s first appearance at the Gold Cup.
Mexico progressed to the quarterfinals as group winners, after wins over the Dominican Republic and Suriname and a draw with Costa Rica. Saudi Arabia finished second in its group after beating Haiti but drawing with Trinidad and Tobago and losing to the United States.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.