The Mexican team won the 2023 Gold Cup after its 1-0 victory over Panama. The Mexicans clinch the title four years later, claim their ninth trophy in this CONCACAF regional tournament, and distance themselves from their pursuer and greatest rival, the United States.
The Gold Cup came to an end with the title match played this Sunday at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, California. More than 70,000 people attended the final between Mexicans and Panamanians, according to CONCACAF's own report.
Prior to the game, Mexico qualified as the leader of its group, which it shared with Qatar (invited), Haiti and Honduras, before eliminating Costa Rica in the quarterfinals and Jamaica in the semifinals. For its part, Panama also led its group after beating Costa Rica, Martinique and El Salvador, as well as Qatar in the quarterfinals and the host United States in the semifinal.
The match was very intense, despite its short score, and moments of dominance by both national teams. Panama was aggressive at the start of the game and also in the second half, but despite dangerously reaching the wing defended by Guillermo Ochoa, the Canaleros were unable to score.
The 'Tri', as the Mexican team is known, was patient and hoped that the Panamanian fatigue would allow him to dominate the actions. That was how they managed to score in the 33rd minute, although Henry Martín's goal was invalidated by VAR due to a previous offside. It wasn't until minute 88 when Santiago Giménez, striker for the Dutch Feyenoord, escaped from the defenders to be left alone in front of the rival goalkeeper, define crossed and score the title goal.
Thus, the Mexican team lifted its ninth Gold Cup and became CONCACAF champion for the twelfth time (before 1991, a tournament other than the Gold Cup was played). Mexico is the team with the most titles in this competition, and behind it are only the United States with 7 (for the last time in 2021) and Canada with 1 (2000).
Also, the 'Tri' regained the regional throne after being champions in 2019 but later falling in the 2021 final against the Americans, in a tournament that takes place every two years, unlike competitions such as the Copa América or the Eurocup, which are held every 4 years.
For Panama, the defeat means its third defeat in the Gold Cup final, since it played the title game of the 2005 and 2013 editions, in which it lost against the United States. The Central Americans were the surprise of the tournament at the hands of the Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, who took office in July 2020.
Now, CONCACAF is preparing for the 2023-2024 edition of its League of Nations. This tournament will serve to qualify six of their teams for the 2024 Copa América, to which they were invited by CONMEBOL, and which will be held precisely on American soil.
