Panama stuns Mexico 2-1 to meet US in Gold Cup final

Panama reached the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup On Wednesday night when they stunned Mexico the early favorites, 2-1 in Dallas.

Blas Perz

They will meet the United States in the final on Sunday.

Mexico, a six time winner of the Gold Cup have been playing below par in recent months, and got the first shock of the tournament when they lost 2-1 to Panama in the opening game. Panama went on to lead their group, and advance into the quarter finals and then to the semis to meet Mexico who arrived in Dallas with the motto “win at all costs”
Blas Perez put Panama ahead in the 13th minute silencing the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, packed with Mexican fans.
Luis Montes scored the equalizer 13 minutes later but Román Torres put Panama back in the lead in the 61st minute with what was to prove the winning goal
The United States, favored to win the tournament dispatched Honduras earlier in the evening but will have a tougher nut to crack with the feisty Panama team.

The first time Panama reached the final of the Gold Cup was in 2005, when they lost  to the United States in the round of penalty kicks.

Now, under manager  Julio Dely Valdes, the boys in red   have the opportunity to bring the cup home, after two defeats of mighty Mexico.