Chicharito closes in on historic mark with Mexico in win vs. Jamaica
Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez inched closer to tying the mark as Mexico's all-time leading scorer on Thursday with a game-winning goal against Jamaica. The Mexican striker tallied his 45th goal with El Tri, as Mexico took down Jamaica 2-0 in Pasadena, Calif. His strike put him one shy of Jared Borgetti's mark of 46, set in 2008.
A curiously early chorus of "olés!" rang around Rose Bowl about a quarter-hour into proceedings, as Jamaica looked like they might be up to the evening's task. But the crowd's commotion seemed to do the trick, as Chicharito put Mexico up in the 18th minute.
The 5-foot-9 forward leapt to meet a Jesus "Tecatito" Corona cross, craned his neck away from his body and hit a perfectly paced and placed header past Andre Blake, appeasing the hungry El Tri fans in attendance.
Chicharito came agonizingly close to bagging his brace and tying the record in the 48th, but Jermaine Taylor and and awkward bounce threw off the striker just enough to leave the chance begging.
Meanwhile, the Reggae Boyz certainly had their share of chances -- mainly at the feet of striker Clayton Donaldson -- including a definite penalty shout in the 64th minute that went unheeded.
Substituted in the 77th minute, Chicarito would be made to wait to tie Borgetti's record. Oribe Peralta came on in his stead and scored the clincher in the 80th, ensuring Mexico a spot in the quarterfinals and leaving Jamaica and Uruguay eliminated from Group C.
Several questions will deservedly be asked of El Tri and manager Juan Carlos Osorio, like who will start in goal against Venezuela on Monday, but for now the night belonged to Mexico and Chicharito.
With 84 caps to his name and still just 28 years old, the Little Pea still has plenty of time left to catch Borgetti.
