Remember when Jamaica snatched an improbable draw against the USMNT in World Cup qualifying with an absolute thunderbastard from Michail Antonio?
On Sunday night in CONCACAF Nations League play at the Azteca, the Reggae Boyz attempted a similar strategy against Mexico through Bobby Decordova-Reid. In the seventh-minute, the Fulham forward opened the scoring with a half-volley from the heavens.
Guillermo Ochoa's dive was reduced to performance art. The 37-year-old was left with whiplash and Jamaica was suddenly looking at a place in this summer's Nations League finals at the expense of El Tri.
BOBBY DECORDOVA-REID WITH THE GOAL OF A LIFETIME AT THE AZTECA.
We'll be watching that one for years. pic.twitter.com/j40thafb3S— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 27, 2023
The Azteca was understandably stunned.
'A fuc...goal' Jamaica festeja el gol ante México
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 27, 2023
But Mexico, needing only a draw to secure top spot in Group A, got an equalizer 10 minutes later through Orbelín Pineda.
⚽️ ¡Goool de México!
⚽️ ¡Goool de México!
⚽️ ¡Goool de México!Jugadón de Chucky Lozano y Orbelín Pineda empata el partidoEN VIVO por TUDN, https://t.co/OmeLOvzglE y app
https://t.co/Uo8TxSc7Mo #UnaNuevaEra pic.twitter.com/zbrKe8Nbpy
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 27, 2023
It started to downpour. The football gods were clearly upset with Reid's goal not being worth two, and so they quickly punished Mexico and Edson Álvarez with an own goal.
⚽ ¡Gooool de Jamaica!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Jamaica!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Jamaica!Edson Álvarez anota en propia puerta. Autogol de MéxicoEN VIVO por TUDN, https://t.co/OmeLOvzglE y app
https://t.co/TLyulfLLVS #UnaNuevaEra pic.twitter.com/CWp7QcZaR1
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 27, 2023
The ref then pulled all the players off the pitch in the 34th minute because of the inclement weather — you could say they'd been thunderstruck by Bobby Reid.
UPDATE: The skies cleared and the gods once again smiled on Mexico — a clear penalty for a stamp in the area sent Chucky Lozano to the spot and the Serie A champion-elect did not miss.
42': Chucky Lozano off the post
46': Lozano scores from the spot to draw El Tri level for a second time. pic.twitter.com/XBocwAlUqh— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 27, 2023
The game finished 2-2. Mexico is the first nation to clinch its place in the Nations League finals. Jamaica qualifies for the Gold Cup as Group A runner-up.
