“Sorry, Panama” reads Mexican newspaper Récord on the front page of its Thursday edition, after the chaotic and controversial 2-1 victory of Mexico over Panama in the semifinals of the Gold Cup soccer competition.
Mexico’s plea for forgiveness comes after it was awarded what clearly seem to be two undeserved penalty kicks late in the game that led to victory and provoked a major on-field clash between players and bottle-throwing from the stands.
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American referee Mark Geiger awarded a first penalty kick in the 89th minute when Panama captain Roman Torres — who had earlier scored the game’s opener — fell to the ground, landing on the ball on his side after an aerial challenge.
Geiger then awarded another kick late in the first half of overtime which sparked the clashes. At the end of the match, several Panama players charged at the officials, who were escorted from the pitch by security.
Mexico could win a seventh Gold Cup, the tournament of national teams in North and Central America, if they beat first-time finalists Jamaica at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
ABOUT THE SOURCE: Récord is a Mexican daily sports newspaper founded in Mexico City in 2002. It sells180,000 copies every day.
