Jamaica and El Salvador make knockout rounds after 1-1 draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:43 am

Nelson Bonilla celebrates after opening the scoring for El Salvador against Jamaica in the Gold Cup.
Nelson Bonilla celebrates after opening the scoring for El Salvador against Jamaica in the Gold Cup.
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Jamaica and El Salvador are both through to the knockout rounds of the 2017 Gold Cup after playing to a 1-1 draw in their Group C finale in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday.

El Salvador -- needing at least a point to book passage to the quarterfinals -- had the perfect start when Ruben Marroquin opened up the Jamaica defense with a perfect through ball and Nelson Bonilla finished from a tight angle to make it 1-0 early.

Derby Carrillo saved Jamaica's best chance of the first half in the 37th minute, diving low and to his right to deny Romario Williams from close range from a Alvas Powell cross.

Andre Blake had a crucial save of his own in the 60th minute, reacting quickly to a crushing, left-footed shot from Rodolfo Zelaya to keep the Reggae Boyz within a goal.

Four minutes later, Jamaica were back on level terms from a Darren Mattocks penalty that beat Carrillo after Narciso Orellana was whistled for handball and shown a yellow card.

The result means Jamaica are assured of at least a second place finish pending the outcome of Mexico's last match and puts El Salvador through as one of the best third-place finishers in the group stage.