Tuea lot of suffering Mexico national football team avoided a real disaster and took a giant step towards reaching the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, defeating Panama from a single goal from a penalty kick Ral Alonso Jimnes 10 minutes before the end of the match on Wednesday night at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
In the first half Three possessed the ball but had no clear scoring opportunities, the brightest of which was Himnes, who beat two opposition defenders, but at the moment of impact he could not hit the ball and slipped.
VAR does not count Mexico’s goal
Mexico improved in the second half and looked like they would open the scoring in the 47th minute when Hirving Lozano broke through the right flank and sent a low cross, which the Wolves striker in the Premier League laid in Louis Mechagoal, however, after VAR overviewit was clearly visible that the ball went over the back line without scoring a goal.
In the 56th minute, the Panamanians Jose Luis Rodriguez had the clearest chance for the Central Americans with a powerful shot that was well saved by the goalkeeper William Ochoa.
New injury for Hirving “Chucky” Lozano
Worst news for the team he coaches Gerardo “Tata” Martino came in the 62nd minute when Chucky was forced out Michael Murillo and violently fell to the lawn, injuring his right wrist and had to be taken to a hospital in the Mexican capital.
The winning goal was scored in the 80th minute after a foul in the box Abdiel Ayarza on the Diego Lineswhich caused controversy as there was contact sanctioned by the referee resulting in a penalty which Himnes unusually executed to complete the locals’ victory.
Mexico is third in the standings.
With this result Mexico reached 21 pointswith the same points as United States but with the worst goal difference to finish third in the final group of 8 CONCACAF countries, which gives exactly three direct tickets to the World Cup and the possibility of an intercontinental play-off against the winner of the Oceania qualifier.
With three games and nine points left, Mexico is four points ahead. Panama (17 points) and five ahead Costa Rica (16 points) in the standings.
Konkakaf became the leader of the qualification Canada with 25 points and Savior (9 points), Jamaica (7 points) and Honduras (3 points) dropped out.
The three remaining games for each team will be played at the end of March.