Mexico vs. Jamaica: Score, Grades and Reaction for 2015 Gold Cup Final | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Robert Spencer
Published Mar 25, 2026
For the third time in six years, Mexico are the undisputed kings of CONCACAF. El Tri earned a 3-1 win over Jamaica in the 2015 Gold Cup final Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Not only does the victory open up a chance for Mexico to reach the 2017 Confederations Cup, but it also provides some much-needed job security for coach Miguel Herrera, who looked on shaky ground entering the tournament.
Some have argued the gulf in class between CONCACAF countries has lessened over the years, but El Tri proved they're still the team to beat. Despite some lackluster showings earlier in the Gold Cup, they saved their best effort for the final.
Fox Soccer noted how they've dominated the competition over the years:
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerIT'S OVER! Mexico have won their seventh Gold Cup and tenth CONCACAF championship! #ElTri #GoldCupFinal #JAMvMEX
Sports Illustrated's Planet Futbol and Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald provided the winners of the Gold Cup's individual honors:
Planet Fútbol @si_soccer#USMNT’s Brad Guzan wins Golden Glove honors as the Gold Cup’s top goalkeeper. Clint Dempsey wins Golden Boot with his seven goals.
Jonathan Tannenwald @thegoalkeeperAndrés Guardado wins Golden Ball as the @GoldCup's most oustanding player.
On paper, Mexico had a decided advantage over Jamaica in almost every facet of the game. El Tri have a much richer history, a better infrastructure and a larger pool of players from which to build a national team.
But with that advantage comes a demand for success. Anything less than a Gold Cup title would've been a massive disappointment for Mexico and Herrera.
Jamaica coach Winfried Schafer was all too happy to remind Mexico of the pressure they were under entering the match.
"We cannot lose," Schafer said, per ESPN FC's Tom Marshall. "[Mexico] is Goliath; we are David. We are a small country. Maybe Mexico City is bigger than Jamaica. We have a big heart, our players have big hearts, and each one is proud to play for Jamaica. Mexico have to win; we want to."
Unlike some of their matches earlier in the Gold Cup, Mexico didn't seem affected by the weight of expectation. They attacked well in the first half, getting three shots on target, and weren't wasteful with their opportunities in the final third.
Andres Guardado, who has been one of Mexico's best players throughout the Gold Cup, put El Tri ahead in the 31st minute.
Mexico caught Jamaica off guard with a quick free-kick. Paul Aguilar received the ball on the right and delivered a perfect cross at the far post for Guardado, who calmly delivered a beautiful volley into the back of the net, per Fox Soccer:
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerAndres Guardado's perfect volley gives #ElTri the 1-0 lead over Jamaica. Wonderful goal. #GoldCupFinal #JAMvMEX
Cesar Hernandez of ESPN FC argued the PSV Eindhoven midfielder has been the highlight of the tournament:
Cesar Hernandez @cesarhfutbolGuardado. Take a bow. You are our bright light in this dark and awful Gold Cup.
MisterChip and the Gold Cup noted the benchmarks Guardado reached with the goal:
MisterChip (English) @MisterChipingAndres Guardado is the FIRST non forward to score 6+ goals in the same tournament in Gold Cup history.
Gold Cup 2019 @GoldCup#Mexico's Andres Guardado became the 1st player in #CONCACAF Gold Cup history to score in 3 finals (2007, 11, 15) ... @miseleccionmx
Prior to the goal, Rodolph Austin picked up a yellow card for his foul on Guardado, which set up the free-kick that led to Mexico taking a 1-0 lead.
In the 40th minute, Austin should've considered himself lucky to remain in the game. He went in with a rough tackle on Francisco Rodriguez that could've easily warranted a second yellow. Instead, the referee blew for the foul and issued Austin a warning.
Going down to 10 men would've been a crippling blow for Jamaica.
A 1-0 deficit wasn't the worst result in the world. Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl saw some encouraging signs from Jamaica as well:
Grant Wahl @GrantWahlHT MEX 1:0 JAM. Such a well-taken goal by Guardado. Jamaicans aren't out of this, though. Not quite precise enough in front of goal.
The feeling the Reggae Boyz could come back lasted all of 72 seconds into the second half.
In the 47th minute, Jesus Corona did it all on his own, first taking the ball away from Michael Hector and then firing a low shot into the bottom-right corner to put Mexico ahead 2-0:
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerJesus Corona doubles #ElTri's lead with a sweet strike that leaves Thompson no chance. #GoldCupFinal #JAMvMEX
Hernandez highlighted an underrated aspect of the goal:
Cesar Hernandez @cesarhfutbolLove the fact that Tecatito didn’t wait for the foul call. He was knocked down, got up, and then immediately scored.
As if Hector weren't already having a bad enough night, another of his errors led to a goal for Oribe Peralta in the 61st minute. Aguilar delivered a cross from the right that Hector should've dealt with easily. However, the ball slipped through his feet to a thankful Peralta, who had an easy finish:
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerOribe Peralta pounces on Hector's mistake to make it 3-0, #ElTri. Game, Set, Match? #GoldCupFinal #JAMvMEX
Darren Mattocks pulled one back for Jamaica in the 80th minute, but the rally came too late. Jamaica dug themselves into a deep hole with Corona's early goal, and Peralta essentially put the match out of reach.
Despite the defeat, Schafer and his side should be heartened with their runners-up finish. This represents the best finish for the country in Gold Cup history. With a spine that's still relatively young, Jamaica should continue improving over the next few years.
Schafer praised his team despite the loss, per ESPN Tri: " Jamaica should be proud of this team. This medal for me is gold, not silver. Nobody gave us a chance."
For Mexico, the focus now shifts to Oct. 9, when they face off with the United States to determine who reaches the Confederations Cup. The tournament serves as a great warm-up for the World Cup and provides invaluable experience for the players.
Selected Player Grades
Andres Guardado, Mexico: A
Guardado's goal took a lot of pressure off Mexico early in the first half. El Tri's inability to score from open play has been an issue throughout the tournament. Getting on the board first—especially in the 31st minute—ensured that wouldn't be a problem on Sunday night.
Across the Gold Cup as a whole, Guardado has been one of the best players on the pitch. Even in Mexico's poorer performances, Guardado remained a bright spot. It's appropriate he had his moment in the final.
Jesus Corona, Mexico: A-
Corona is pretty much giving Herrera no choice at this point. He has done enough to warrant a regular place in the Mexico starting XI. He's skilled on the ball, and the nature of his goal is a testament to his energy on the pitch and willingness to do the dirty work.
How Herrera juggles his attack once Javier Hernandez is healthy will be interesting.
Michael Hector, Jamaica: D+
Making one mistake that leads to a Mexico goal is one thing. But Hector did it twice, eliminating any chance Jamaica had of winning the match in the process.
The second of Hector's mistakes was particularly egregious. Aguilar's cross didn't come in with a ton of pace. He simply didn't get his feet right and made a mess of the whole situation.
