Philadelphia, PA -- In a tournament filled with bad play and controversy, Mexico had none of that Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. Mexico defeated Jamaica 3-1 to win the 2015 Gold Cup Final.

Jamaica came out strong, and for the first five or seven minutes, it seemed as if the underdogs could pull off the huge upset. Although it seemed a struggling Mexican side and a strong Jamaican side would make this a back-and-forth match, it did not end up that way.

Andres Gaurdado, Mexico's best player at the tournament, put the ball behind Ryan Thompson in the 31st minute to give Mexico the lead. Guardado's volley looked easy to the eye, but the beautiful strike was a work of art. After failing to score in the first 85 minutes of their last two matches, or a non-penalty goal, an early goal for Mexico was just what Miguel Herrera's side needed.

Halftime came, and whatever the Jamaicans hoped to fix in the second half went utterly wrong. 

Jesus Corona doubled Mexico's lead two minutes into the second half, seemingly putting Mexico in the driver's seat to the title. Corona's shot was powerful, one that Thompson even if he could get a finger on would probably continue into the goal. 

Corona's goal felt like a statement, that even though Mexico should have not been in the final, they were here and here to take it by the throat.

Mexico put this match to bed in the 61st minute, when Oribe Peralta put the three spot in for Mexico. This was the Mexico that all had expected to see in the tournament, not the one that finished second in their group and needed referee controversy to just get to the final.

After the Peralta goal, Jamaica looked defeated, and at sometimes they refused to run strongly at the ball, or to fight and challenge for possession. 

Substitute Darren Mattocks got the consolation goal for Jamaica in the 80th minute. Mattocks made a nice run on the left flank, and then slotted the ball behind Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa. Even with the goal, the Jamaicans looked resigned to losing the title match.

Even though the United States did not make the final, the crowd filled Lincoln Financial Field. 68,930 filled the stadium, making it the largest crowd ever to watch a soccer match in the city of Philadelphia.

While it was not the tight match that many expected, it was one that defined Mexico. Just like in World Cup qualifying, Mexico might have struggled early on, but given a lifeline, they can impress and win.

For Jamaica, it was an agonizingly close run. Some Jamaican players stayed and watched Mexico lift the trophy, seeing how close they came to shocking the soccer world. Jamaica will be proud of their tournament success, and their performances give them and their young rising squad hope in World Cup qualifying. 

Mexico will face questions on their performances before the final, but it seems Miguel Herrera will not have to sweat over his job security.

The US and Mexico will face off in October, at a location to be announced (likely the Rose Bowl in California), for CONCACAF's spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. 

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About the author
Josef Leizerowitz
Credentialed football writer covering Manchester City, Manchester United, and International Football.