Les Matinino loss means quarter-final confirmation must wait

Martinique went down 3-1 to CONCACAF Gold Cup holders Mexico in Denver today and as a result must wait for groups B and C to conclude before they know if they have made the quarter-finals.

Both sides made a positive start to the game and Mexico came close after only 6 minutes when Marco Fabián headed against Kevin Olimpa’s bar. Les Matinino demonstrated their attacking capabilities by immediately breaking down the other end, only for Kevin Parsemian’s clever flick to reach nobody in the Mexican box.

Jubilant...Mexico celebrate

In the 21^st minute the FIFA side found the opener when Fabián scored his 3^rd goal of the tournament after Olimpa parried a 1-on-1 effort from Rafael Márquez Lugo. The Gold Cup holders then made it 2-0 in the 34^th minute, Luis Montes firing in a sensational long-range effort which was his 1^st for his country.

It was looking bleak for the non-FIFA side but when Steeve Gustan was fouled in the box the Caribbean side were given a penalty and route back into the match. Parsemain coolly sent Moisés Muñoz the wrong way to claim his 15^th goal in his last 16 internationals.

The 2^nd period was a more cagey affair. Montes tried his luck from distance on the hour but the shot flew wide of Olimpa’s post. Márquez Lugo saw his free-kick miss the target in the 77^th minute but substitute Miguel Ponce made sure of the 3 points in the final minute when he finished from close range.

Martinique will now wait to see the results in groups B and C before they know if they have reached the last 8 – their goal difference could see them pip a winner out of Cuba and Belize and meet either the United States or Costa Rica.

Match information –

Score: Martinique 1-3 Mexico

Goals: Martinique – Parsemain 42’ (pen). Mexico - Fabián 21’, Montes 34’, Ponce 89’.

Martinique XI: Olimpa; Linord [Abaul 36’], Arnolin, Babin; Germany, Hérelle; Thomert, Delem [Crétinoir 56’], Reuperné [Tresfield 78’], Gustan; Parsemain.