Mexico and the United States have secured a place in the CONCACAF Nations League final. That means a final with many familiar faces.
Mexico was clearly too strong for Panama (0-3), partly thanks to former Ajax player Edson Álvarez. The American team, with PSV players Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi, defeated Jamaica (3-1) in the semi-finals after extra time.
Álvarez leads Mexico to Nations League final
Mexico made the difference just before half time. Álvarez headed his country into a 0-1 lead against Panama in the fortieth minute. The midfielder was once again important, after he had already been decisive with his head in the quarter-final against Honduras, by heading in the eleventh minute of injury time. Shortly after that goal, Julián Quiñones doubled the lead. His goal was initially disallowed for offside, but after the VAR check the 0-2 still appeared on the scoreboard.
In the second half, Orbelín Pineda put an end to all doubts. With a beautiful lob over the Panamanian goalkeeper, he set the final score at 0-3.
For Mexico, PSV striker Hirving Lozano came on half an hour before the end. National coach Jaime Lozano left Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez aside for the entire match. Gimenez had to warm up a number of times, but he never came on as a substitute, which led to frustration among the striker.
Santiago Giménez’s reaction after not adding minutes against the Panama National Team 🇵🇦
Did he deserve to have entered the AT&T field? 🤐
🎥 TURN pic.twitter.com/QMuK7vF9Rj
— Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) March 22, 2024
United States passes Jamaica
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USA through after extra time after Nations League final thanks to super sub Wright
The United States was too strong for Jamaica 3-1 after extra time.
The American team got through the eye of the needle against Jamaica. With Tillman in the starting lineup, the United States fell behind within a minute. It seemed that the score would remain the same for a long time, but in the 96th minute the team of coach Gregg Berhalter still leveled thanks to an own goal by Cory Burke.
As a result, the countries went into extra time and America walked away thanks to substitute Haji Wright. He scored in the 96th and 109th minutes, meaning his team will now face Mexico in the final.
PSV striker Pepi came on for the United States after an hour, but did not score. Sergiño Dest was missing due to a suspension, which he received in the quarter-finals of the tournament due to a direct red card in the match against Trinidad and Tobago.
The final of the CONCACAF Nations League can be seen live on ESPN 1 on Sunday night at 2:15 AM.
