Cesar Montes lifts Mexico past Suriname, into Gold Cup quarters

Defender Cesar Montes doubled his career international scoring tally by connecting on two goals Wednesday night as Mexico defeated Suriname 2-0 in Arlington, Texas, to clinch a spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Mexico (2-0-0, 6 points) moved ahead of Costa Rica (2-0-0, 6 points) atop Group A thanks to a superior goal difference. The two teams, both assured of quarterfinal berths, will square off Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Suriname (0-2-0, 0 points) and the Dominican Republic (0-2-0, 0 points) are both eliminated from contention ahead of their head-to-head matchup on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Montes broke the scoreless deadlock in the 57th minute, heading a corner kick from Alexis Vega past goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen.

In the 63rd minute, Montes followed up with a play that was more hustle than execution. Trying once again to head the ball in on another corner, the attempt was blocked and ball was deflected as Montes ended up on the ground. While still on the pitch, he quickly scissor-kicked it into the bottom right corner.

The tallies give Montes three goals in the past two games after he helped Mexico post a 3-2 win against the Dominican Republic on Saturday. His only previous international goal came in a friendly against Panama in 2021.

--Field Level Media