Santiago Gimenez scored the game-winner minutes after getting into the match Sunday as Mexico beat Panama 1-Zero to win a record-extending ninth CONCACAF Gold Cup crown. The ultimate of the regional championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean was a fast-paced bodily affair between a Mexico staff keen to maneuver on from latest disappointments and a Panama facet looking for a primary Gold Cup crown of their third ultimate look. Gimenez began on the bench in favor of Henry Martin and with the match deadlocked was introduced on within the 85th minute.
Three minutes later the 22-year-old Feyenoord striker turned an instantaneous hero.
After Ivan Anderson’s cross into the Mexico penalty space was blocked, Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda got here away with the ball and handed to Gimenez at midfield.
Gimenez raced into the penalty space, spinning away from one defender and beating one other earlier than slotting a left-footed shot previous Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.
His fourth objective in 18 worldwide appearances sparked frenzied celebrations among the many largely pro-Mexico crowd of practically 73,000 at SoFi Stadium, house of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and one of many venues tabbed for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Mexico added a ninth Gold Cup title to these it received in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
America personal seven titles, however have been stunningly eradicated by Panama in a penalty shootout within the semi-finals.
The victory, with interim coach Jaime Lozano on the helm, was particularly candy for a Mexico facet making an attempt to maneuver previous a disastrous World Cup in Qatar final yr adopted by a disappointing Nations League marketing campaign.
Lozano, who coached Mexico to Olympic bronze on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was introduced in to switch Diego Cocca, who was sacked final month.
“We’ve stated it from day one. Jaime understands very effectively what it means to symbolize Mexico, he understands the participant very effectively, he will get the very best out of every participant and that’s mirrored on the sphere,” stated Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who received a fifth Gold Cup title.
Mexico thought they’d seized the lead within the 33rd minute when an assault launched by an extended clearance from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa ended with Martin skipping onto a cross from Luis Romo and firing a left-footed shot from the middle of the field into Mosquera’s internet.
It took a number of minutes earlier than a VAR evaluate deemed Martin was offside.
Ten minutes later Mosquera saved the rating degree as he got here up with two saves in fast succession, one from Pineda and one from Martin.
Panama threatened in first-half harm time, however Anibal Godoy’s shot went simply extensive of the left submit.
Panama averted a dangerous discount to 10 males within the 63rd minute when Harold Cummings was proven a second yellow card for tripping Pineda just for referee Mentioned Martinez to rapidly rescind it.
After Antuna examined Mosquera with a header within the 66th minute, Panama responded with a header from Jose Fajardo that Ochoa managed.
Panama’s Ismael Diaz then fired over the crossbar within the 75th and Edgar Barcenas got here shut with a long-range shot by way of visitors within the 87th, however Thomas Christiansen’s Canalmen had no reply to Gimenez’s strike.
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