Mexico Claims Record Eighth Gold Cup Title vs Panama in 2021 Final

Mexico Claims Record-Extending Eighth CONCACAF Gold Cup Title

On Sunday, August 1, 2021, Mexico defeated Panama 3-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. This marked Mexico's record eighth Gold Cup championship and fourth title in the last five tournaments.

Mexico Dominates From Start to Finish

Mexico controlled possession and dominated Panama throughout the match. El Tri opened the scoring in the 28th minute when right back Luis Rodríguez finished off a give-and-go with Jesús Corona to slot home from close range. Just before halftime in the 43rd minute, Mexico doubled their lead courtesy of a stunning long-range strike from Rogelio Funes Mori that found the top corner.

Panama struggled to generate many dangerous chances and Mexico continued to dictate the flow of play in the second half. El Tri put the game away for good in the 87th minute when defender Héctor Moreno headed in a corner kick to make it 3-0. Mexico saw out the remaining minutes comfortably to clinch their eighth confederation championship.

Mexico's Quality and Experience Shines Through

Mexico manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino opted for a veteran-laden starting XI including the likes of Guillermo Ochoa, Héctor Moreno, Andrés Guardado, Jesús Corona, and Hirving Lozano. The collective quality and experience from Mexico's core proved the difference as El Tri dominated from start to finish.

In particular, Rogelio Funes Mori stepped up in a big way by scoring the crucial second goal right before halftime. The naturalized Mexican striker won the Golden Boot Award as the Gold Cup's top goal scorer. Mexico benefited from clinical finishing and excellent team play to break down a resolute Panama side.

Panama's Gold Cup Run Ends Respectably

Despite the one-sided final scoreline, Panama deserves immense credit for their unexpected run to the Gold Cup final. La Marea Roja upset the odds by making a Cinderella run from the preliminary round all the way to the final matchup versus Mexico.

Along the way, Panama defeated Qatar, Grenada, Honduras, Canada, and Qatar again to qualify from a difficult Group B. In the quarterfinals, Panama defeated Costa Rica on penalties before stunning the United States via another shootout in the semifinals. While overmatched against Mexico, Panama can hold their heads high after a historic Gold Cup performance.

What This Means for Mexico Moving Forward

Winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup title was the perfect way for Mexico to bounce back from a disappointing summer. El Tri suffered a setback by losing to the United States in the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League final back in June.

However, Mexico's veteran leaders stepped up masterfully throughout this Gold Cup campaign. By lifting the trophy, Mexico gained confidence and momentum heading into a busy fall World Cup qualifying schedule. Manager Tata Martino seems to have found his preferred starting XI as Qatar 2022 draws nearer.

A Recap of the Action Between Mexico and Panama

First Half: Mexico's Quality Shows

Mexico controlled possession early and nearly scored in the 6th minute but Jesús Gallardo's shot hit the outside of the post. El Tri continued dictating the pace of play and broke through in the 28th minute when Luis Rodríguez finished off a give-and-go with Jesús Corona. Mexico took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Rogelio Funes Mori scored a spectacular long-range goal in the 43rd minute.

Second Half: Mexico Sees Out Comfortable Win

Panama had a bit more attacking impetus at the start of the second half but were still unable to seriously threaten Guillermo Ochoa's goal. The next big chance fell to Mexico's Orbelín Pineda in the 65th minute but his shot was right at Panamanian keeper Calderón. El Tri continued probing for a third goal and finally got it when Héctor Moreno headed in a corner kick in the 87th minute. Mexico managed the game professionally from there to secure the 3-0 victory.

Player Ratings for Both Sides

Mexico

Guillermo Ochoa: 6.5/10 – Had very little to do given Mexico's dominance. Commanded his area decently.

Luis Rodríguez: 7.5/10 – Superb two-way performance from the right back. Assist on Mexico's opening goal.

Héctor Moreno: 8/10 – Excellent in defense and scored Mexico's third goal. Man of the Match performance.

Rogelio Funes Mori: 8.5/10 – Clinical finishing rewarded with a superb goal. Also won Golden Boot.

Hirving Lozano: 7/10 – Lively down the right flank although end product was lacking at times.

Panama

Calderón: 6/10 – Made some decent saves although little he could do on the goals conceded.

Harold Cummings: 6.5/10 – Panama's best defender although Mexico's quality persisted.

Édgar Bárcenas: 5.5/10 – Struggled to influence the game in attack. Anonymous at times.

Gabriel Torres: 5/10 – Cut an isolated figure up front. Received little service.

Alberto Quintero: 6/10 – Worked hard down the left but his final ball let him down.

Highlights and Key Takeaways

Mexico's Clinical Finishing

Mexico's three goals came from just five shots on target. El Tri took their limited chances expertly while Panama failed to work Ochoa despite having more looks on goal. The quality in the final third was clearly in Mexico's favor.

Panama's Valiant Defensive Display

La Marea Roja deserves praise for their overall defensive performance. Despite constant pressure, Panama kept Mexico at bay for stretches of the match. Their deep defensive block frustrated El Tri for long periods.

Mexico's Eighth Gold Cup Title

Winning a record eighth Gold Cup cements El Tri's status as the region's preeminent national team. Mexico has now won more Gold Cups than all other countries combined. This title proves Mexico's resurgence under Tata Martino.

Final Analysis

Mexico were deserved winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup after comprehensively defeating Panama 3-0 in the final. El Tri dictated the flow of play from the opening whistle and got goals at key moments from Luis Rodríguez, Rogelio Funes Mori, and Héctor Moreno. Panama deserves immense credit for their historic run to the final. However, Mexico's quality shone through as El Tri claimed their eighth confederation championship.

This tournament saw Mexico return to their best form under manager Gerardo Martino. With their Gold Cup crown secured, El Tri will now turn focus toward FIFA World Cup qualifying and aim to carry this momentum into the all-important matches this fall. For Panama, the focus shifts to continuing their development heading toward the 2026 World Cup which they will co-host with Mexico and the United States.

FAQs

What was the score of the 2021 Gold Cup final?

Mexico defeated Panama 3-0.

How many Gold Cup titles has Mexico now won?

This was Mexico's record extending 8th confederation championship.

Who scored Mexico's goals in the final?

Luis Rodríguez, Rogelio Funes Mori, and Héctor Moreno scored for Mexico.

Where was the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final played?

The final was held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What was significant about Mexico's win?

The title marked Mexico's return to form under manager Gerardo Martino after a disappointing summer.