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Gold Cup 2015: Late Penalty Drama As Mexico And Panama Progress

By Sola Egunjobi
Published on: 15:53 PST, Jul 19, 2015

It all came down to a controversial decision and late penalty drama as both games of the Gold Cup 2015 quarter finals on Sunday went the distance before Panama and Mexico booked their places in the final four.

Mexico left it very, very late – and needed a questionable call – before captain Andres Guardado buried a 122nd minute penalty – virtually the last kick of the match – to get past Costa Rica in a hard fought game at the MetLife Stadium. Referee Oscar Lopez pointed to the spot after Mexico striker Oribe Peralta appeared to be pushed by Roy Miller in the Costa Rica box, a decision highly contested by the Costa Ricans, but Cuadrado made no mistake from the spot just as both teams were preparing for a penalty shoot-out.

Mexico had the better chances of the game, with Carlos Vela missing a couple of good opportunities, Peralta striking the upright and Yasser Corona also putting one effort off the crossbar. Costa Rica were solid in defense, particularly after the break, with Giancarlo Gonzalez in particular making several crucial interventions. Both sides went for the win as legs tired in extra time, Joel Campbell’s amazing dribbling run from the half way line almost giving Costa Rica the lead only for Guillermo Ochoa to save brilliantly. Just when it seemed penalties would be required though, referee Lopez made the decision that ensured just one would do, and Mexico took their chance.

In the earlier game, Panama – who will face Mexico in the semi final – also had their share of penalty drama before securing their spot, although this one did go to a penalty shoot out, after each team had scored once to leave the match level after 120 minutes.

Miguel Tejada capitalized on a defensive error to prod past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and give Panama the lead after 37 minutes, but captain Kenwyne Jones headed Trinidad and Tobago level in the second half. Panama did most of the attacking as their opponents looked to catch them on the break. Panama could have sealed the win in the last minute of the game, but star striker Blaz Perez shot wide from a superb left wing cross by Eric Davis.

With both sides still level after extra time, the real drama commenced, once Panama’s Gabriel Torres put the first penalty over the crossbar to give Trinidad and Tobago the edge.

Ataullah Guerra scored Trinidad and Tobago’s first kick, but they then missed their next two, and Panama missed again to leave both teams still level at 3-3 after five kicks apiece. Panama blinked first in the sudden death phase too, when Erick Davis missed, leaving Daneil Cyrus with a chance to win the game for Trinidad and Tobago. But he also missed and it was left to Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to stop Lester Peltier’s effort – the 18th of the shoot out – and send his country into the semis.

Jamaica and USA, who play each other in the other semi final, had already booked their place – in less dramatic circumstances – on Saturday.

Both semi finals are scheduled for Wednesday night at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

[Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images]

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