Mexico Edge Past Panama To Win Gold Cup For Record 9th Time

Mexican national team edged past Panama in the Gold Cup final on Sunday night to lift the trophy for 9th time record.

Santiago Giménez scored the winner after an electrifying sprint in the 88th minute in a hugely entertaining encounter.

After Edson Álvarez slid to block Iván Anderson’s cross in the Mexico penalty area, Orbelín Pineda dribbled away and made a perfect pass to the center circle.

The 22-year-old Feyenoord forward dribbled past Harold Cummings and outraced Cummings and Fidel Escobar into the penalty area, where he tucked away a clever scuffed shot for his fourth goal in 18 international appearances.

The goal by the Argentina-born Giménez set off a frenzied celebration at sold-out SoFi Stadium, which was packed with fans celebrating Mexico’s dramatic revival in this biennial Concacaf tournament.

“Today the atmosphere was like a World Cup, it wasn’t like a Gold Cup,” said interim coach Jaime Lozano after the win. “The truth is that it fills me with joy, with excitement.”

Mexico looked to have broken the deadlock in the 33rd minute but Henry Martin’s goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. It had another excellent opportunity just before the break but Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera denied them again.

Panama’s best chance came in the 87th minute but Edgar Barcenas’ long range shot sailed wide of goal. Minutes later Gimenez ended it.

Mexico allowed just two goals through all its matches and has won this tournament more than all other nations combined.

The U.S. has seven Gold Cup titles and Canada one. Panama came up short in its effort to win the Gold Cup for the first time.