Mexico vs. Panama: Winners and Losers from International Friendly

Mexico left it late to defeat Panama in a high-octane friendly match in Queretaro on Sunday, as substitute Erick Torres broke the deadlock in the final minute for a 1-0 win.

El Tri head coach Miguel Herrera appeared distinctly unimpressed with much of what he saw over the 90 minutes, with the quality of his team's performance and some of the officiating provoking him into sideline antics that will have been familiar to anyone who watched him during the World Cup in the summer.

Panama were not expected to provide a huge test to their opponents, but they proved to be dogged throughout the contest, looking reasonable value for a draw until a late mistake from their goalkeeper allowed Torres to turn home the deciding goal.

Here are some winners and losers from Sunday's game.

Winner: Erick "Cubo" Torres

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

A first goal for your country is always going to feel pretty good. But when it is also a last-minute winner in front of a raucous home crowd, it surely feels extra special.

That was exactly the feeling Erick "Cubo" Torres got to feel on Sunday, as he was in the right place at the right time to volley home after Oribe Peralta—who had an altogether more frustrating cameo appearance—deflected a rebound perfectly into his path after a spill from Panama's goalkeeper.

After moving to Chivas USA in a bid to build on his bright start to life as a professional in domestic football, the forward scored goals aplenty in the MLS to earn a national team call-up. He still undoubtedly has plenty of work to do to supplant Javier Hernandez and Peralta (among others) in the pecking order, but this goal may well ensure he is included in a few more squads to come.

Loser: Oscar McFarlane

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The unfair life of the goalkeeper was perfectly illustrated by Oscar McFarlane on Sunday. The 33-year-old goalkeeper (who, according to his Wikipedia page, once spent 20 months in jail on a murder charge that was later thrown out) had a comfortable if occasionally panicky afternoon right up until the last minute, where his inability to hold a tame long-range effort allowed Erick Torres to scramble home a winning goal.

It was harsh on the veteran—he and his defenders had done so well to limit and frustrate their more vaunted opponents for so much of the match, but then one individual error undid all of that and denied the visitors a draw they would have rightly taken great pride in.

Winner: Miguel Herrera

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This was far from a perfect performance, but it was at least another win for Miguel Herrera. Mexico have not lost in their four matches since the World Cup, drawing their first match (with Chile) and winning the three matches since.

This was a disjointed, often disappointing performance, but there was also a lot of rotation from the coach, and his team was frequently frustrated by both opponents who came to spoil things and referees who struggled to control the game. In that difficult context, Herrera saw encouraging performances from a few fringe players, while in Torres he may have another goalscoring option to factor in going forward. There were positives to take, even if the scoreline itself may underwhelm slightly.

Make no mistake, the expressive coach would have been a loser in this column had this game ended in a draw. But it did not, and Herrera as such continues to make slow but steady progress in his tenure with El Tri.

Loser: Oribe Peralta

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It did not quite happen for Oribe Peralta on Sunday, even if he did provide the assist for Torres' winner. The experienced striker came on early in the second half and was presented with a couple of glorious chances to break the deadlock himself. Unfortunately, he squandered all of them.

Torres' late impact underlined the fact there is never any shortage of competition in the attacking ranks for El Tri, but for Peralta, he may begin looking over his shoulder slightly nervously. He was the main striker at the World Cup in the summer, but if his current lack of goalscoring touch continues, he could soon find himself scraping around for opportunities.