PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Daniel Lopez and Jairo Torres scored two goals each as Mexico (2W-0D-1L, 6 points) secured a place in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship's classification stage with a 5-1 win over Jamaica (1-0-2, 3) on Saturday at the Estadio Maracana.
The result means that the Tricolor finished second in Group C, three points behind the table-topping United States (3-0-0, 9), which defeated El Salvador (0-0-3, 0) earlier, 1-0.
Two-time defending champion Mexico bounced back from a 4-3 loss to the U.S. in its last outing by striking for three goals before halftime.
Torres opened the scoring in the 24th minute, when he connected with the outside of his right foot from 13-yards out after Jesus Perez’s left-sided cross deflected off the head of defender Kimani Gibbons.
In 32nd minute, Lopez made it 2-0, firing a delicate chip played into the left side of the box by Roberto De La Rosa over charging goalkeeper Tajay Griffiths from nine yards.
An individual effort extended Mexico’s lead in the 36th minute as Torres beat Shane Ricketts on the right wing and accelerated into the box, before snapping a low, left-footed shot from 14 yards that eluded a diving Griffiths at the near post.
A similar effort put Mexico up 4-0 in the 61st minute. On this occasion, Adrian Vazquez shifted towards the middle from the right and bounced an 18-yard effort into the right side of the net.
Thanks to the impressive Torres, Lopez completed his brace a minute later. Torres delivered a low cross from the right side of the box that De La Rosa let roll past him to a completely unmarked Lopez, who slotted home with his right foot from six yards.
Jeremy Verley pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute for the Reggae Boyz, who were eliminated.
