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.
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