Mexico beat Panama to win Gold Cup
A strong individual effort by Santiago Gimenez produced a late lone goal, as Mexico defeated Panama on Sunday in the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup in Inglewood, California. Orbelin Pineda's long pass found Gimenez just past the halfway line, leaving him one-on-one with Panama defender Harold Cummings. With Cummings on a yellow card, he couldn't bully the Mexico player off the ball, and Gimenez took advantage by dribbling into the penalty area with Cummings chasing. Gimenez, who entered the game just three minutes earlier, then rolled a left-footed shot past Panama goalie Orlando Mosquera and inside the right post in the 88th minute. The goal lifted Mexico to its record ninth Gold Cup title, but its first since 2019. The United States is second with seven. The only other nation to win since the current format was implemented in 1991 was Canada, the 2000 champions. Panama was competing in its third final, having lost to the United States in 2005 and 2013. Mexico appeared to have taken the lead in the 33rd minute, but Henry Martin's goal off a cross from Luis Romo was overturned for an offside call after a video review. Mexico finished with a 23-14 edge in shots, including a 7-2 advantage in shots on target. Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa made two saves, while Mosquera stopped six shots. (Reuters)