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Jamaica silenced Mexico with one of the best goals of 2023

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.  

The Azteca was understandably stunned. 

But Mexico, needing only a draw to secure top spot in Group A, got an equalizer 10 minutes later through Orbelín Pineda.

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. 

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.

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.

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