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In a penalty shootout, Panama surprises and eliminates the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup

By Arthur Fernandes

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Adalberto Carrasquilla #8 of Panama celebrates his game-winning penalty kick during a Semifinal match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against the United States at Snapdragon Stadium on July 12, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Adalberto Carrasquilla #8 of Panama celebrates his game-winning penalty kick during a Semifinal match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against the United States at Snapdragon Stadium on July 12, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday (12), Panama pulled off a surprise victory over the United States in a thrilling match. After 120 minutes of play, both national teams were deadlocked at 1-1. The game was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, with the Panamanians emerging victorious with a 5-4 scoreline. This result sets up a final showdown between Panama and Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In the ninth minute of extra time, Panama finally broke the deadlock. Carrasquilla provided a well-placed pass to Iván Anderson, who found himself unmarked behind the United States’ defense. Anderson calmly finished the chance, beating goalkeeper Matt Turner to put Panama in the lead.

The United States fought back and equalized in the 105th minute. Jesús Ferreira, the FC Dallas forward, unleashed a spectacular first-time strike with his shin, capitalizing on a headed assist from Jordan Morris. This goal marked Ferreira’s seventh of the tournament, tying Clint Dempsey’s record for the most goals scored by a United States player in a single edition of the Gold Cup.

ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 22: Jozy Altidore #27 of United States celebrates with Clint Dempsey #28 of United Statesafter scoring against Costa Rica during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal at AT&T Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 22: Jozy Altidore #27 of United States celebrates with Clint Dempsey #28 of United Statesafter scoring against Costa Rica during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal at AT&T Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The penalty shootout proved to be a tense affair. Adalberto Carrasquilla, the midfielder from Houston Dynamo FC, scored the decisive penalty in the sixth round. Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera played a crucial role by saving Cristian Roldan’s shot, the midfielder from Seattle Sounders FC. Mosquera’s penalty save was his second of the shootout.

Matt Turner had a standout performance in the quarterfinals, making two penalty saves against Canada. However, it was Orlando Mosquera, the Panamanian goalkeeper, who shone in the penalty shootout, denying the shots from Jesús Ferreira and Cristian Roldan. Mosquera’s impressive save against Ferreira in the first round set the tone for Panama’s success.

Panama will now face Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, which will take place on Sunday (6) at the SoFi Stadium. As for the United States, their next match is scheduled for September against Uzbekistan.

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