MIAMI, Florida – Both Mexico and Panama will look to bounce back from semifinal defeats on Thursday night when they meet on Sunday in the Third Place Match of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League Finals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mexico suffered a 3-0 loss to long-time rivals the United States, while Panama were defeated by Canada 2-0 to set up this match-up for a final place on the podium.
It will be the 28th all-time meeting between the two nations, with Mexico owning a decisive advantage in the series, with 19 victories, six draws and just two defeats, both of which came during the 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The two teams also met in the group stage of the 2019-20 CNL during which Mexico emerged victorious from both, a 3-1 victory in Mexico City, followed by a 3-0 win in Panama.
While Panama were unable to find the back of the net in their semifinal with Canada, they did get some standout performances from several players.
GK Orlando Mosquera was brilliant in net, in particular in the second half by making a sensational save to deny a header from Cyle Larin just feet in front of goal. MF Adalberto Carrasquilla also delivered a strong performance in driving at the Canadian defense with his speed while winning many a 50/50 ball in midfield.
Mexico had their looks at goal as well against the U.S., despite not scoring. Uriel Antuna nearly delivered a goal in the second half with an attempt that missed just wide, while young FW Santiago Gimenez provided a spark off the bench in the second stanza and could be in line for a start on Sunday.
A chance to finish the 2022-23 CNL on a positive note and gain momentum for a 2023 Gold Cup push should make this affair an entertaining one.
PANAMA VS MEXICO
Referee: DANEON PARCHMENT (Jamaica)
1st Assistant Referee: OJAY DUHANEY (Jamaica)
2nd Assistant Referee: CALEB WALES (Trinidad and Tobago)
4th Official: ISMAEL CORNEJO (El Salvador)
VAR: TATIANA GUZMAN (Nicaragua)
AVAR1: SHIRLEY PERELLO (Honduras)
