We’re down to the last four of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 and favourites USA and Mexico are on a collision course for a winner-takes all final; if they can overcome Panama and Jamaica in the semi-finals.
The United States have recently lifted the CONCACAF Nations League and are now two steps away from another Gold Cup triumph in the tournament they are hosting, along with Canada, who they beat on penalties to reach the last four. Meanwhile Mexico overcame Costa Rica to earn their last four berth and the competition is about to get tasty.
Panama vs USA
Gregg Berhalter’s USA came through their toughest test of the tournament so far when they beat co-host Canada in a penalty shootout late on Sunday night. Having topped Group A with seven points USA had home advantage in Cincinnati. After a poor group showing Canada were in the last chance saloon when they met Cuba in their final group game and they came through that test with a 4-2 win, so the Maple Leafs had some momentum coming into their quarter final and they pushed the Stars and Stripes all the way.
There wasn’t a goal until the 88th minute when USA striker Brandon Vazquez, in front of his home fans, thought he had won the game but Steven Vitoria made it 1-1 from the penalty spot three minutes into stoppage time. Jacob Shaffelburg gave Canada a lead in extra time but an own goal, courtesy of Scott Kennedy, took the tie to penalties.
Arsenal stopper Matt Turner was the hero of the night, saving the first spot kick from Vitoria and then an effort from Liam Fraser as the Stars and Stripes came out 3-2 winners on penalties.
Ranked 58th in the world, and 45 places below the USA, Panama are the SBOTOP outsiders in the final four but they have been impressive throughout the campaign, topping Group C with seven points and following that up with a 4-0 thrashing of Qatar in Texas on Saturday. Ismail Diaz was the star of the show in their quarter final win, scoring a spectacular second half hat-trick after Edgar Barcenas had opened the scoring in the 19th minute. The win pitched the Panamanians against USA in the semi-final… and the prize is getting ever closer.
But the USA, despite missing some of its biggest stars, is a tough opponent which has the added incentive of drawing alongside record holders Mexico on eight Gold Cup wins if they can win their next two games.
Mexico vs Jamaica
Mexico went through to the semi-finals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on Saturday at the AT &.T Stadium in Dallas. El Tri topped qualifying Group B with six points and they coasted through to the last four after seeing off a Costa Rica threat early in the second half as Henry Martin won a penalty, converted by Orbelin Pineda, and Erick Sanchez tapped home a late second.
El Tri could have scored more goals while veteran keeper Guillermo Ochoa had a quiet evening, but two was enough for a comfortable win and a place for El Tri at the business end of the competition.
The latest CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 betting odds have Mexico on target to reach the final to meet (probably) the USA, but first they will have to overcome the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica. In one of the harder CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 results to call, Jamaica beat Guatemala who had topped their group with seven points; and this quarter final was a tight affair with very little to chose between the two nations. The key moment of quality came from Luton Town’s Amari’i Bell who scored the only goal of the game, shortly after half time, and that was enough to send Jamaica through to a semi-final clash with Mexico. Life is looking good for Bell who will be plying his trade in the Premier League next season after the Hatters won promotion.
Jamaica were finalists in 2015 and 2017 and this is the fourth time Jamaica has reached the semi-final of the Gold Cup; and they will go to the Allegiant Stadium of Paradise in Nevada full of optimism, still unbeaten in the competition. But, while they are seeking their first Gold Cup triumph the Reggae Boyz face serial winners Mexico, who are looking to clinch the title for the ninth time.
It looks like the USA, with home advantage, are on track to reach the final and, while Jamaica vs Mexico should be a cracker, the Stars and Stripes vs El Tri showdown is still on the cards.
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