Cummings’ goal lifts Jamaica past El Salvador 1-0 in Gold Cup

Cummings’ goal lifts Jamaica past El Salvador

MIAMI — Omar Cummings’ goal midway through the second half lifted previously winless Jamaica to a 1-0 victory over El Salvador in the final CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A match Friday night.

Cummings received Luton Shelton’s pass from the left wing and converted on a shot past goalkeeper Miguel Montes in the 69th minute.

The Jamaica victory clinched the group’s second-place spot for Costa Rica, which tied group winner Canada 2-2 earlier Friday. Canada and Costa Rica advanced to the quarterfinals, which begin July 18.

El Salvador and Jamaica each finished with 1-2 records and three points in group play.

El Salvador, which could have clinched the group’s second spot with a win, had three opportunities at tying the match. In the 84th minute, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts deflected Rodolfo Zelaya’s point-blank header inside the 6-yard box.

Ricketts also stopped Zelaya’s open shot inside the penalty area during stoppage time.

With the fourth and final injury-time minute about to elapse, Montes left his goal area to attempt a free kick just outside the Jamaica penalty area. Montes’ shot hit the left goal post.

Jamaica kept pressuring El Salvador’s defense following Cummings’ goal.

Montes stopped Jason Morrison’s open shot from 20 yards in the 79th minute and another unmarked attempt from Jermaine Johnson 5 minutes later.