SOCHI, Russia – When Mexico faces World Cup champion Germany in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals on Thursday at Fisht Stadium, it will mark the fifth time a CONCACAF representative has contested a final-four encounter in the competition.
CONCACAF sides emerged victorious on two occasions, including a pairing that featured a battle between Mexico and the United States.
CONCACAF.com takes a look at CONCACAF’s semifinal matches in the FIFA Confederations Cup:
October 15, 1992 (King Fahd II Stadium – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
USA 0, Saudi Arabia 3
In the tournament’s first-ever edition, when it was known as the King Fahd Cup, Saudi Arabia struck for all the goals in the second half to post a 3-0 win over the United States.
August 1, 1999 (Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico)
Mexico 1, USA 0 aet
In an all-CONCACAF matchup, Mexico edged the United States, 1-0 after extra time, on Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s 97th minute goal. The Mexicans went on to defeat Brazil, 4-3, in the final, with Blanco netting what proved to be the game-winner.
June 26, 2005 (AWD Arena – Hanover, Germany)
Mexico 1, Argentina 1 (5-6 pens.)
Carlos Salcido gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in 104th minute, but Luciano Figueroa equalized six minutes later to send the match to penalty kicks. Mexico netted on its first five attempts, before Ricardo Osorio failed to convert.
June 24, 2009 (Free State Stadium – Bloemfontein, South Africa)
Spain 0, USA 2
In one of its most impressive results, the United States earned a 2-0 win over Spain, ending the European champion’s 35-match unbeaten streak. Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 27th minute and Clint Dempsey doubled the advantage in the 74th minute. In the final, the Americans’ jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Brazil, before falling 3-2.
