PASADENA, California — Kemar Lawrence struck an incredible 88th-minute free kick to knock defending champions Mexico out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in their semi-final fixture here inside the Rose Bowl last night.

The 1-0 win advances Jamaica to their second consecutive Gold Cup final appearance, following their historic achievement two years ago when they lost 1-3 to Mexico.

They will face hosts the United States of America on Wednesday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Mexico dominated the early exchanges with possessional and territorial play, but it was the Reggae Boyz who threatened first when Owayne Gordon blasted a shot at Jesus Corona in goal for Mexico.

Andre Blake, arguably the best goalkeeper of the tournament, then pulled off a brilliant double save when he blocked with his feet after the ball took a wicked deflection off the lunging Jermaine Taylor. His reflexes were catlike as he palmed away the follow-up from close range.

Then on 25 minutes he was even more spectacular, when he palmed away, from point-blank range, a firm header from striker Erick Torres, who was served a delicious cross from the right.

Nearing the half-time interval Taylor stung Corona’s hands when his meaty 30-yard free kick took a slight deflection off the ‘wall of defenders’ and headed straight for the inside netting, only for the Mexican goalkeeper to prove equal to the task, turning the ball behind for a corner.

It was more of the same upon resumption, as the Mexicans took up where they had left off, but the Boyz gradually came alive, especially after the introduction of Ricardo Morris in the 53rd minute.

And the Portmore United left-sided player almost made an immediate impact when Romario Williams drove inside from the right and teed him up, but he slotted straight into the waiting arms of Corona.

At the other end, Blake was called into action yet again to block a firm free kick by substitute Jesus Gallardo, but the Boyz were enjoying a period of consistent play in attack and, on 78 minutes, defender Damion Lowe went perilously close with a firm header from a Owayne Gordon freekick, which forced Corona into a diving save to his right.

It was a sign of things to come when two minutes from the end another substitute, Michael Binns, was fouled as he dribbled inwards from the left.

The free kick gave rise to an inquest and, after appearing to settle on either Taylor or Binns, there seemed to have been a change of heart and Lawrence walked up to the ball, much to the chagrin of the Mexicans, who even appealed for the intervention of referee John Pitti. But the Red Bull defender placed the ball to his liking before nonchalantly curling it into the goal, silencing the 42,393 spectators inside the famed venue.

They knew it was over, and after three minutes of time added, it was.

Teams: Jamaica — Andre Blake, Damion Lowe, Ladale Richie, Alvas Powell, Shaun Francis (Ricardo Morris 53rd), Darren Mattocks (Sergio Campbell 90th+), Je-Vaughn Watson, Owayne Gordon, Kemar Lawrence, Jermaine Taylor, Romario Williams (Michael Binns 77th)

Subs not used: Rosario Harriott, Oniel Fisher, Ewan Grandison, Cory Burke, Dwayne Miller, Shamar Nicholson, Jermaine Johnson, Damion Hyatt

Booked: Francis (33rd), Williams (58th), Gordon (80th)

Mexico — Jesus Corona, Jair Pereira, Hugo Ayala, Jesus Molina, Esson Alvarez, Oberlin Pineda, Erick Gutierrez (Jesus Gallardo 59th), Erick Torres, Elias Hernandez (Raul Lopez 79th), Rodolfo Pizarro, Jesus Duenas

Subs not used: Luis Rodriquez, Martin Barragan, Miguel Fraga, Cesar Montes, Hedgardo Marin, Jorge Hernandez, Abgel Sepulveda, Luis Reyes, Alejandro Mayorga, Moises Munoz

Booked: Alvarez (25th), Torres (29th)