Mexico returned to the successful street after a late purpose gave them the 1-0 victory over Panama. Within the first match of 2026 for the Mexican Nationwide group, Mexico was overly superior towards an especially defensive Panama however have been minutes from one other tie earlier than a harm time purpose gave them the win. It was a greater than deserved consequence though it wasn’t an amazing match by Mexico and there are nonetheless loads of questions surrounding the group. Mexico will now journey to South America the place they may face off towards Bolivia on Sunday within the final pleasant of their tour January tour.
The primary half began with Mexico arising with the the 2 new gamers from the USSF setup, Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutierrez, from the beginning. From means outdoors the world, Giovany Herbert would get off a proper footed shot that may go simply huge. An excellent mixture play ended with a push on Obed Vargas within the space that wasn’t known as. Off a nook kick, the cross into the world was headed huge by German Berterame. Mexico was utterly dominating possession however weren’t creating any hazard towards a Panamanian group that was extremely defensive. Off a free kick, Gutierrez would get off an amazing proper footed shot that may go simply huge. An excellent cross into the world by Gutierrez was badly misjudge by Roberto Alvarado, who didn’t make contact with the ball. An excellent cross into the world by Ledezma was headed huge by Berterame, losing an amazing alternative. Off an amazing cross, Berterame had an opportunity for a 1 vs 1 however defender Ariel Arroyo was capable of knock him down and take the ball away, losing one other probability. The halftime whistle blew and though Mexico had been overly superior, they hadn’t created probabilities and the match remained scoreless.
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The 2nd half began with Panama subbing out Ariel Arroyo and Ricardo Phillips for Javier Rivera and Angel Caicedo. Panama began the half by dominating possession but it surely solely lasted a few minutes earlier than Mexico as soon as once more began dominating the match. Mexico subbed out Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez and Obed Vargas for Alexis Gutierrez, Kevin Castañeda and Carlos Rodriguez. An excellent cross into the world was lowered by Berterame however he whiffed on his proper footed shot, losing one other probability. A cross into the world was volleyed by Castañeda, which compelled a great save from Panama’s goalkeeper, JD Gunn. After being given the time and area, Caicedo acquired off a proper footed shot from outdoors the world that was simply saved by Mexico’s goalkeeper, Raul Rangel. Panama subbed out Hector Hurtado and Kadir Barria for Abdul Knight and Gustavo Herrera. Mexico subbed out German Berterame and Marcel Ruiz for Armando Gonzalez and Erik Lira. A cross into the world was badly headed by Bryan Alonso Gonzalez. Panama subbed out Giovany Herbert for Kahiser Lenis. Off a nook kick, Victor Guzman acquired a header that may go simply huge. A cross into the world could be volleyed by Alonso Gonzalez and hit the publish but it surely was dominated offside. Panama subbed out Omar Cordoba for Luis Asprilla. A cross ito the world was cleared by Rangel, who needed to go and punch the ball. Mexico would sub out Brayan Alonso Gonzalez for Jesus Gallardo. A cross into the world by Gallardo was volleyed huge by Gutierrez. A cross into the world by Gutierrez could be headed by Gonzalez, forcing a great save from Gunn. An excellent mixture play between Gutierrez and Gallardo, ended with the defender stepping into the world and getting a cross that went previous Gunn and in direction of Rodriguez however as a substitute, Richard Peralta deflected the ball into the purpose for an personal purpose that gave Mexico the 1-0 lead. It was an unlucky play by Panama but it surely got here off an amazing offensive play from Mexico , who deserved the purpose after their dominating play. Mexico held on the final minutes of the match and acquired their victory that ended their successful much less streak at 6 matches.
For the primary time for the reason that 2025 Gold Cup last, Mexico would get a victory after defeating Panama, It wasn’t an amazing efficiency even when Mexico dominated the match though it was anticipated with the match being principally used for seeing new gamers in an all Liga MX squad. Mexico confronted a Panama aspect that even once they have been at dwelling, went on the defensive aspect from the beginning of the sport till the top. It was as anticipated as not solely is Panama the lesser squad when it comes to gamers on Thursday however they need to play on this fashion within the World Cup as they’re clearly the lesser group within the Group (they’re in a gaggle with England, Croatia and Ghana). A few gamers regarded good with the brilliant spot being Jesus Gallardo but in addition robust debuts from Ledezma, Brian Gutierrez and Eduardo Aguila. Extra worrisome could be the poor performances from Berterame and Alvarado. Mexico will now journey to face off towards Bolivia, which might have a greater squad however are additionally not as quick and can in all probability received’t be as defensive minded as Panama, as they’re making ready for his or her World Cup qualification in March in Monterrey.