Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
March 24 – Mexico is the brand new title on the Concacaf Nations League trophy after beating a battling Panama 2-1 within the SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, with two extra objectives from striker Raul Jimenez.
It’s the first time that Mexico have received this trophy after every of the three earlier editions had been received by the USA. It marks an emphatic return to the highest of the Concacaf podium as in addition they maintain the Gold Cup – a title they received on this stadium in 2023 with a 1-0 victory, additionally over Panama.
They are going to defend that title within the US this summer season, the final aggressive event for each Mexico, the USA and Canada, earlier than they co-host the World Cup in 2026.
Will Smith warmed up an already boiling SoFi Stadium
Mexican soccer loves its incursions into the US – they’re normally successful ones. This one, contemplating the political state of affairs between the 2 nations, can be notably candy.
Will Smith obtained jiggy with the viewers within the SoFi Stadium forward of the Nations League closing however this was a crowd that wanted little warming.
With the USA barely managing to search out any help after their semi-final loss to to Panama and one other insipid efficiency towards Canada, Mexico had been hell bent on having a celebration of their again yard, and did’ they.
There have been 68,212, primarily Mexican followers, who together with a sprinkling of Panamanians despatched the message you could you are taking our canal and our civil liberties however you’ll by no means take our soccer, regardless of what number of journeys FIFA president Gianni Infantino makes to the White Home to see his pal Donald Trump.
The SoFi Stadium from the beginning was rocking to the expectation of Mexican glory.
Javier Aguirre made three modifications from the beginning line-up that repelled the Canadian assault within the semi-finals on Thursday. In got here Luis Romo, Cesar Montes and Cesar Huerta to make a three-pronged assault signalling a extra offensive strategy.
Panama’s Thomas Christiansen made only one change, beginning final gasp purpose scoring hero Cecilio Waterman forward of Jose Fajardo.
Panama opened with extra ambition than they’d proven within the first 90 minutes towards the USA, and within the sixth minute peppered the Mexican purpose with Waterman in particualr placing his physique on the road earlier than Mexico scrambled the ball away.
Even so, it was Mexico who drew first blood. Roberto Alvarado, a persistent menace on the appropriate hand aspect, crossed the ball to an unmarked Raul Jimenez for the best of headers so as to add to the brace he scored towards Canada within the semi-finals on Thursday.
Panama had been up for the scrap and with their tight midfield and Adelberto Carrasquilla on the coronary heart of it, took the play to Mexico. Within the seventeenth minute a Carasquilla pushed free kick on the left solely wanted the slightest of touches however Angel Malagon gathered confidently within the Mexican purpose.
Santiago Gimenez virtually had his title on the scoresheet on 25 minutes however shot over the bar, whereas on 40 minutes Panama ought to have equalised after a cross throughout the field was missed by two attackers on the again submit.
A minute later Jose Rodriguez pressured an outstanding save from Malagon.
With three minutes left within the half Panama had been degree. VAR known as play again for a suspected foul on Cecelio Waterman within the Mexico field. Calling the referee to the pitchside monitor, he ultimately pointed to the spot. Carrasquilla stepped as much as ship the ball down the center and previous Malagon diving to his proper – 1-1 at half time and all to play for.
The second half noticed Mexico instantly stamo their authority with the majority of possession however their bustle couldn’t break the spectacular Mosquera in Panama’s purpose.
With probabilities onerous to come back by, challenges had been fierce and tempers nearly contained.
On the hour Christiansen introduced on Jose Fajardo for Waterman. Inside a minute he had fired from distance over Malagon’s purpose.
Aguirre refreshed his line-up with Alexis Vega up entrance and Luis Chavez in midfield. Mexico pushed and probed however couldn’t discover the hole to check Mosquera whose terrier-like defence snapped at ankles and closed gaps down. Within the 73rd minute Gimenez headed into Mosquera’s arms – Panama had all bases lined, although their assault was now primarily based on the lengthy ball counter.
Carrasquilla’s penalty was later matched by Jimenez’s
On 82’ the primary puto chant was heard and play suspended. All of the sudden a mixture of nervousness and nervousness gripped the stadium.
Play resumed after the break and Mexico continued their dominance of the assault. On 88’ they had been rewarded with a penalty. José Córdoba handballed within the space. Jimenez stepped up, stopped twice on his manner the ball, earlier than ultimately hammering it previous Mosquera.
Such was the environment it could have been a courageous referee to order the penalty to be retaken. It ought to have been.
Mexico performed out the six minutes of added time with out incident to carve their title on to the trophy. A political and soccer assertion if ever there was one.
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