▲ Orbelín Pineda scored the third goal for Mexico. Ap Photo
▲ Julián Quiñones, who sweeps for the ball against Panamanian César Blackman, scored the second goal and the first on his account with the green shirt. The scoreboard in favor of the tricolors was opened by Edson Álvarez. Ap Photo
From the editorial staff
La Jornada Newspaper
Friday, March 22, 2024, p. a10
There is a regional title that has been denied to Mexico and now it is one step away from taking it to its showcase. The naturalized Julián Quiñones celebrated his first goal with the Tricolor to give confidence to coach Jaime Lozano and propel the team to a 3-0 victory against Panama that sealed their pass to the final of the Concacaf Nations League, where they will face the Sunday to the staunch rival and two-time champion United States.
Since the creation of the tournament in 2019, Mexico has not been able to confirm its hierarchy. On two occasions they were beaten by the Stars and Stripes team, first in a final and then in the run-up to the final duel. Now, they will have the opportunity for a new revenge against the Americans, who hours before came from behind to beat Jamaica 3-1 in extra time with a double from Hagi Wright.
The victory against the Panamanians also gives a breath of peace to Jimmy, who must respond with positive results to ensure his continuity at the head of the national team.
Quiñones (43) has responded to the expectations that were placed on him as a scorer since he became naturalized to wear the tricolor shirt. He now found himself with the networks to celebrate the goal demanded by the fans and close his union with Mexico.
Edson Álvarez (40) and Orbelín Pineda (67) also found the combination to break the Panamanian defense and achieve Mexico’s victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The goals scored before the break also destabilized the team’s scheme. canaleroswho were risky in the attack.
Panama arrived with the impulse to heal a wound after Mexico defeated it in the Gold Cup final last year. The tricolors had other reasons for inspiration: to make it clear that they are still a power in Concacaf.
Thus, the tricolor coach trusted in the experience of veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was key in stopping several arrivals from the Panamanians. For the attack, he dispensed with Santiago Giménez, who showed his annoyance at not playing by kicking a bench in the technical area.
In the duel, the Panamanians gave a couple of scares in the first half of the match, but Mexico was more precise in their movements to seal the victory at the limit of halftime.
Edson Álvarez, one of the Mexicans with the best pace in Europe, was the first to unleash euphoria before thousands of tricolor fans by hunting the ball next to the post to finish with a header.
Shortly after, Quiñones appeared by winning a pass, breaking the mark of two rivals and finishing with a cross shot. The naturalized Mexican had to wait a couple of minutes to celebrate the validation of the VAR, which reviewed a possible offside. With the approval of the refereeing body, he hugged his teammates, it was the first goal he had scored with Mexico.
The icing on the cake came with a brilliant play when César Montes sent a pass that crossed half the field so that Orbelín Pineda received the ball on the edge of the area and sentenced with power. He Maguito He celebrated with a little dance in front of the fans; It was a night of joy for the Mexicans who now aspire to a title.
2024-03-22 09:44:42
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