Mexico vs Panama: Head to head statistics
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Mexico vs Panama match preview
It’s CONCACAF Gold Cup Final night in Los Angeles, so will the competition’s record winners rule supreme once again, or will there be a new name engraved onto this trophy?
Mexico have cruised through the knockout stages en route to an eighth Gold Cup Final in just ten editions, first overcoming Costa Rica 2-0 in Dallas.
Then, on Wednesday night, el Tri proved simply too strong for Jamaica at Allegiant Stadium, prevailing 3-0.
Henry Martín broke the deadlock after just 80 seconds in Las Vegas, Luis Chávez then curled home a stunning free kick, before Roberto Alvarado tapped home a clincher in stoppage time.
Last month, Diego Cocca was sacked as Mexico manager, following their Tres a Cero defeat to fierce rivals United States in the Nations League semi-finals.
Now, interim Head Coach Jaime Lozano and his team are 90 minutes away from ending el Tri’s four-year trophy draught.
Last weekend, los Canaleros smashed Qatar 4-0 in the quarter-finals, courtesy of Ismael Díaz’s nine minute hat-trick in Arlington.
Nevertheless, la Marea Roja still went into Wednesday’s clash with USA at Snapdragon Stadium as big underdogs.
Having already had two goals disallowed for offside, Panama did finally make the breakthrough nine minutes into extra time.
Iván Anderson burst in-behind, broke the offside trap and rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
However, the U.S. equalised shortly after, meaning 1-1 it finished in San Diego, so to penalties the tie went.
Fidel Escobar, Díaz, Yoel Bárcenas, Cecilio Waterman and Adalberto Carrasquilla all held their nerve, with Cristian Martínez the only Panamanian player to miss, seeing his tame effort easily saved.
It mattered not, because goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was the hero, pulling off two saves, as Thomas Christiansen’s team knocked out the holders.
So, this’ll be just Panama’s third appearance in a Gold Cup Final, having previously lost to the U.S. in both 2005 and a decade ago.
Mexico meantime are featuring in their 11th final of the Gold Cup era, having captured this trophy a record eight times.
Both of el Tri’s defeats in finals, 2007 and 2021, have come against the United States.
So, will the vast number of Mexican supporters inside SoFi Stadium be celebrating come full time, or can Panama pull off an upset for the ages in Inglewood?
Mexico team news
Jaime Lozano could name an unchanged line-up, after Edson Álvarez was only on the bench in mid-week due to injury.
If the Ajax man is fit, he’ll return in place of Érick Sánchez at the base of midfield.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will feature in a fourth CONCACAF Gold Cup Final and he’s yet to lose one.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ochoa; J Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; É Sánchez, Luis Romo, Chávez; Pineda, Antuna, Martín.
Panama team news
Thomas Christiansen too will be hoping he can name the same line-up that started in San Diego on Wednesday.
Eric Davis is the only injury concern so, if he doesn’t make it, goal-scorer Iván Anderson will fill-in at left-wing-back.
Ismael Díaz scored a hat-trick in the quarter-final, so could he be the hero in LA?
Predicted XI (5-2-3): Mosquera; Bárcenas, Cummings, Escobar, Andrade, Anderson; Godoy, Carrasquilla; Fajardo, Quintero, Díaz.
CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals results & fixtures
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CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals results
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