Panama surprised the United States and are playing in the Gold Cup final against Mexico

After 2005 and 2011, this will be Panama’s third Gold Cup final in Inglewood (Calif.) on Sunday. National coach Thomas Christiansen’s (ex-Union) team took the lead in extra time on Wednesday through Ivan Andersson (99.). Jesus Ferreira (105.) was able to equalize for the US team, but the home country lost in a penalty shootout. Matt Miaska (ex-Anderlecht) came on and used his eleven meters in the penalty shootout. Brian Reynolds, on loan from AS Roma at Westerlo last season, was substituted after an hour. In Panama, Mikel Murillo (Anderlecht) was injured during the group stage of the tournament.

Mexico will play in its eleventh final on Sunday. It has won the Gold Cup eight times so far (1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2019). Only two finals lost (2007 and 2021). Mexico and Panama have never met in a final.

The Mexicans struggled a bit in their semi-final against Jamaica. Henry Martin (2.), Luis Chavez (30.) and Roberto Alvarado (90.+3) scored in a comfortable 3-0 win. Racing Genk left-back Gerardo Arteaga was on the bench for the entire match, while Guillermo Ochoa (former standard) remains the captain and permanent man under the crossbar in Mexico. In Jamaica, Leon Bailey (ex-Genk) kicked and Shamar Nicholson (ex-Charleroi) came on.