Panama and Mexico through to Gold Cup semi-finals

In the 123rd minute, Mexico’s Oribe Peralta fell theatrically in a few yards from the goal while trying to head the ball, and the assistant referee signaled for a foul. Panama beat Trinidad and Tobago in the opener of a doubleheader at MetLife Stadium.

Mexico had dominated play but was unable to score until the final moments.

Corona was injured during Mexico’s quarter-final win over Costa Rica in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday.

But with the match seemingly on track for penalties, Mexico benefited from a dubious refereeing decision to advance to the final four.

Shortly after Sunday’s contest, Costa Rica manager Paulo Wonchope gave plenty of credit to Mexico for playing a great game, but was still visibly shocked by the late call. “We will go into the future now.” said through a translator. They waved their red, white and green flags with reckless abandon. After 15 minutes of this dominance, Costa Rica (La Sele) took control of the ball and looked every bit like the team that surprised everyone in the 2014 Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup in Brazil.

Yesterday marked the fourth match in a row in which Panama took the lead only to surrender the equaliser in the second half, having advanced from the group stage on three 1-1 draws. “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to be as effective as we would want to”.

That goal came in what was essentially the 124th minute of play with Guardado leaving no doubt, lashing his left-footed kick from the spot authoritatively into the left side of the net. Jaime Penedo made the clinching save for the 6-5 PK victory in this one.

Marvin Phillip saved a seventh-round shot by Alberto Quintero to put the Canaleros on the edge of elimination, but Trinidad and Tobago’s Daneil Cyrus fired his penalty over the crossbar to extend the drama.

Luis Tejada scored in the 37th minute for Panama, and Kenwyne Jones tied it the 54th for Trinidad and Tobago.

They did everything they could to will their men’s national team to a win over Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. Then the wheels all just seemed to fall apart and we got a disappointing end to what could’ve been one of the most thrilling games of the 2015 Gold Cup.