Barely three minutes after entering the field and when extra time was almost over, Santiago Giménez gave Mexican soccer a much-awaited and necessary moment: an anthology goal worth a Cup.
Santi Giménez ran 30 meters with the ball glued to his foot after dislodging defender Harold Cummings on a counterattack and scored with a left-footed cross in the 88th minute, blowing up a sold-out SoFi Stadium for Mexico’s 1-1 victory over Panama. 0 in the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
The Mexican victory, their ninth of the tournament, helps put the bitter pills of the Nations League behind them, including the change of technical director, and gives interim coach Jaime Lozano ideal conditions to stay permanently in charge.
But let there be no doubt If someone lived a magical moment around 7 pm in Inglewood, it was Giménez, a very talented player called to be a star of the Tricolor. He was not called up to the World Cup in Qatar and had not played particularly well in the Gold Cup, but he made the difference play to return Mexico to the regional throne after the United States beat them two years ago in Las Vegas.
It could be the real start of a special stage with Mexico for the 22-year-old striker who is already a figure in Europe.
The 2023 Gold Cup could also be for Panama
Until Giménez’s brilliant play, preceded by a dangerous action in the Mexican area, both teams had had chances in a tight and tense second half that kept many fans on their feet. It was a final that anyone could have taken.
For example, at minute 75, Canal striker Ismael Díaz made a scissor shot that almost shook the net. AND on other occasions the goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was attentive to save. Memo, by the way, won his fifth Gold Cup and was awarded as the best goalkeeper in the tournament.
Panama, which arrived undefeated, was left on the shore for the third time in its history, having lost the 2005 and 2013 finals against the United States.
The match served to kick off the national team activity at the majestic Inglewood stadium and was a preview of the 2026 World Cup. SoFi Stadium is expected to host the opening match or final at the 2026 World Cup.
The attendance of fans was 72,963, the vast majority Mexican, as a new era began for the Tricolor in its second home, Los Angeles. SoFi joins the Memorial Coliseum and the Rose Bowl, two historical venues where much of the history of the Aztec team has been written.
Mexico’s first goal cry at SoFi Stadium, turned off by VAR
The first Mexican goal cry at SoFi Stadium came after 33 minutes and was powerful, but After the celebration for Henry Martín’s frank shot to the nets after Luis Romo’s pass, the action was invalidated by the VAR due to a previous offside by América’s own scorer in Guillermo Ochoa’s clearance at the start of the play.
Ten minutes later, El Tri made a magnificent play on the right with another cross by Luis Romo, a great screen by Uriel Antuna and a clear shot by Orbelín Pineda, but goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera made a sensational save from below with his hand and then in Martín’s countershot the goalkeeper from Carabobo from Venezuela saved again, now with the foot. Martín took a strong blow from an apparent plate from a defender at ankle height.
Before the break, Panama was very close in a shot by Aníbal Godoy from outside the area. The play was preceded by two defensive blunders from Mexico in a compromised zone, in addition to César Montes being reprimanded for protests, for which both tricolor central defenders went to the dressing room with a yellow card.
Alignments of Mexico vs. Panama
Mexico – Guillermo Ochoa; Jesus Gallardo, Cesar Montes Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jorge Sanchez; Edson Álvarez, Luis Romo, Luis Chávez (Erick Sánchez, 74 ‘), Orbelín Pineda (Israel Reyes); Uriel Antuna (Roberto Alvarado (74′), Henry Martín (Santiago Giménez, 84’). DT: Jaime Lozano.
Panama –Orlando Mosquera; Éric Davis (Iván Anderson, 61′), Andrés Andrade, Harold Cummings (Asarías Londoño), Fidel Escobar; Adalberto Carrasquilla; Anibal Godoy, Jose Fajardo; Edgar Bárcenas, Adalberto Quintero (Cecilio Waterman, 61), Ismael Díaz. DT: Thomas Christiansen.
News in development.