CONCACAF Gold Cup: Mexico secured their ninth CONCACAF Gold Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Panama in the final.
Santiago Gimenez, who came on as a substitute in the second half, scored the winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
In the 33rd minute, Mexico thought they had taken the lead through Henry Martin, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside. Despite another opportunity before halftime, Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera denied Mexico once again.
Panama’s Harold Cummings received a second yellow card in the 63rd minute, but the referee later overturned the decision as it was determined that there was no contact made. Panama had their best opportunity to score in the 87th minute, but Edgar Barcenas’ long-range shot missed the target. Gimenez, who had recently entered the game, then scored the only goal of the match.
Edson Alvarez found him near the center of the field, and the 22-year-old swiftly bypassed two defenders before using his left foot to score the winning goal in the 88th minute. This goal caused the sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium to erupt with excitement.
“It is indescribable,” Argentina-born Gimenez said after the match.
“The only thing I feel is love and passion for those who are always there. God, my family and the people who came today, 75,000 people. We had to give them this Cup.”
Mexico’s triumph was a much-needed one as they had previously been unable to advance past the group stage in the previous World Cup. This victory also prevented Panama, the underdogs who surprised everyone by defeating the United States in the semi-finals, from claiming their first Gold Cup title.
Mexico is optimistic that this win signifies a fresh start for the team, as they are now under the guidance of Jaime Lozano after Diego Cocca was dismissed following the Nations League last month.
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