The Panama national team came up with a resounding surprise by knocking host country the United States out of the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Football Cup on Thursday to set up a final meeting with Mexico, who defeated Jamaica 3-0.
The hosts were eliminated from the competition, losing to Panama on penalties after extra time ended in a 1-1 draw.
Panama took the lead in the ninth minute of extra time thanks to Ivan Anderson, but just six minutes later the Americans managed to level the score thanks to Jesus Ferreira from the summer, so both teams played a penalty shoot-out in which Panama was lucky and won 5-4.
In the second leg of the semi-finals, the Mexican national team did not face any big problems in overcoming Jamaica, and Henry Martin, Luis Chavez (30) and Roberto Alvarado (90+2) scored three goals in the second minute in turn. ).
Mexico will go into the final as favorites against Panama, who have never won the title but have reached the final in their previous two stops in 2005 and 2013 and were beaten by the United States at the time.
The final match will take place on July 16.
Source: agencies
