Football
ESPN staff 8y

Mexico beats Haiti to advance in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying

CARSON, Calif. -- Raul Lopez Gomez scored on a penalty in the 74th minute and defending Olympic champion Mexico beat Haiti 1-0 on Sunday night to wrap up a spot in the semifinals in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2016 Rio Games.

The penalty was given when Severe Verilus tripped up Erick Gutierrez as the Mexico player tried to reach a through ball near the edge box.

Haiti goalkeeper Luis Valendi Odelus kept his side in the game with outstanding saves, but there was to be no equaliser.

Mexico, with two wins from two in Group B, will complete round-robin play against Honduras on Wednesday night in Commerce City, Colorado, with the winner taking the top spot, while the loser will likely have to face the United States to qualify directly.

Mexico's victory also gave Honduras a semifinal berth Oct. 10 in Sandy, Utah.

Honduras beat Costa Rica 2-0 in the first game of the doubleheader to improve to 2-0.

Antony Lozano scored in the 41st minute, and Alberth Elis added a late goal after Costa Rica's Luis Sequeira was sent off in the 75th minute for his second yellow card in a minute.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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