Mexico 1-0 Panama
The Sunday night celebrations at the SoFi Stadium in California are just beginning to calm down after Mexico won a dramatic final against Panama to win the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
A late goal from substitute Santiago Gimenez sparked wild celebrations in the packed-out stadium and handed El Tri a record ninth Gold Cup win; and that after limping out of the Qatar World Cup just eight months ago. Even though the finish was a bit scruffy, Gimenez’ goal was worthy of any competition finale as Mexico turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
Panama were on the offensive and Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez had to stretch to block a dangerous cross before Orbelin Pineda picked up the ball and carried it away from danger. He found Gimenez with a beautifully crafted pass and the 22-year-old striker then raced into the Panama half, leaving Harold Cummings in his wake, before scuffing a bouncing shot over the Panama keeper, Orlando Mosquera, and into the net.
At odds of 4.60, 1-0 to Mexico was the most likely score-line.
Gimenez had only been on the pitch three minutes when he scored his fourth international goal, all credit to interim boss Jaime Lozano, who has only been in the hot seat for a month.
Mexico could easily have been out of sight in a first half they totally dominated and Panama keeper Mosquera made a stunning double save to keep out point-blank efforts from Pineda and Henry Martin. Los Canaleros had two good chances to nudge ahead in the second half, but Edgar Barcenas and Alberto Quintero were wasteful in front of goal, and they were punished heavily when Gimenez scored his breakaway goal, and the most important in his young career.
The final, without the hosts USA, was every bit as good as the locals, who tend to support Mexico over the Stars and Stripes in any case, had hoped for. And it was a superb antidote to the pain of going out at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1978, a disappointment which led to the departure of head coach Tata Martino.
Panama, who reached the final thanks to a thrilling penalty shootout win over the USA, played their part but Mexico, who had thumped Jamaica 3-0 in their semi-final, were worthy of their win and their record. The CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 betting odds backed them and, with nine triumphs, El Tri are now ahead of the seven times winning USA by two Gold Cups while Canada is the only other winner.
The Big Characters
Santiago Gimenez
Despite having the opportunity to represent Argentina, the country of his birth, Gimenez, decided to play his international football for El Tri saying, ‘I feel more Mexican than Argentine’ having spent most of his life in Mexico. And now he has taken the first steps to becoming a legend for his adopted country and the Mexico fans have taken the Feyenoord striker to their hearts.
He scored 15 goals in 32 appearances for his club last season, helping his side to the Eredivisie title, and Gimenez will be playing Champions League football next term.
Guillermo Ochoa
Mexico’s CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 results were indeed impressive as they won all but one, a dead rubber against Qatar, and conceded just two goals. At the other end of his career, 38-year-old goalkeeper Ochoa was as influential as ever as he picked up his 143rd international cap.
Los Canaleros couldn’t find a way past the Salernitana stopper, but neither could Jamaica nor Costa Rica in the knockout phases and Ochoa still has some fuel in his tank.
Jaime Lozano
Lozano only took over in June after the sacking of Diego Cocca in the aftermath of Mexico’s third-place finish in the CONCACAF Nations League. And, while he was given the job on an interim basis, he has given the Mexican football authorities something to think about. As a player, he scored 12 times in 34 appearances for Mexico and he coached his country’s Olympic team to a bronze medal in Tokyo two years ago.
And Lozano has done a fine job of gelling this team so quickly, starting the final with eight of the players who laboured at the World Cup, and picking up the title.
There is some great action to come over the next few weeks with some fascinating friendlies and the Women’s World Cup about to start; but, in California, this week is all about Gold Cup winners Mexico.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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