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Two goals from Raul Jimenez ensured Mexico earned a spot in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinals after a 3-0 victory over Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Mexico struggled to get going early, and it was Panama who had the first big chance of the game when Guillermo Ochoa was forced to a quick save off a Gabriel Torres effort inside the box.
But El Tri would take the lead in the 13th minute when Raul Jimenez fired Gerardo Martino’s men in front with Mexico’s first big chance of the game.
¡De lujo! ⚽ Raúl Jiménez adelanta al Tri con una soberbia definición dentro del área#PasiónPorTuSelección | #CNL | #ConcacafNationsLeague https://t.co/ZyQIUWqMbQ
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2019
Mexico then wasted no time in trying to double their lead, with Raul Jimenez forcing Panama goalkeeper Jose Calderon to a series of saves.
El Tri, though, wouldn’t double their lead until the 70th minute. After a rebound following a free kick fell to Raul Jimenez, the Wolverhampton striker found Edson Alvarez inside the box to score the 2-0.
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2019
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx!
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx!
Servicio de @Raul_Jimenez9 y @EdsonAlvarez19 se encarga de mandarla al fondo⚽
EN VIVO https://t.co/mtx6IcnxuR #PasiónPorTuSelección | #CNL | #ConcacafNationsLeague pic.twitter.com/KSJmK8E9Ga
Six minutes later, Mexico made sure of the victory when Uriel Antuna latched on to a long ball into space and earned a penalty. Raul Jimenez stepped up and scored, putting the final score at 3-0 in favor of El Tri in Panama City.
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2019
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx!
¡Goool de @miseleccionmx! @Raul_Jimenez9 sella el triunfo con la especialidad de la casa ¡Cobro perfecto de penal! ⚽
EN VIVO https://t.co/mtx6IcnxuR #PasiónPorTuSelección pic.twitter.com/7bYahLAlfd
The result sees Mexico guarantee a place in the next round of the Concacaf Nations League and remain perfect with three wins in three matches.
Next, Mexico host Bermuda on Tuesday at the Estadio Nemesio Diez in their last game of the Group Stage Phase.