Mexico vs. Panama: Date, Time, Live Stream and 2015 Friendly Preview
Panama have the chance for redemption on Tuesday as they take on CONCACAF tormentors Mexico after their controversial Gold Cup clash in July.
El Tri knocked out the Panamanians at the semi-final stage with two late penalties, after Los Canaleros had led 1-0, with coach Hernan Dario Gomez saying he wanted to retire after what he described as a "vile robbery," per BBC Sport.
The late goals and questionable refereeing left Panama with a tremendous sense of injustice, with players clashing with the Mexicans at the end of the tie.
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Read on to find details of how to watch the grudge match at the Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico:
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Time: 10 p.m. ET / Wednesday, 3 a.m. BST
TV Info: Univision Deportes USA (U.S. only)
Stream: Univision.com (U.S. only)
Match Preview
Panama might have designs for revenge against their hosts on Tuesday night, but Mexico will still be celebrating their extra-time victory in the CONCACAF play-off against the United States for a place at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
The Mexicans snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, deconstructing a USMNT side which is now in full-blown transition.
However, the Gold Cup controversy which hangs over the Panama fixture still remains, and it is fresh in many supporters' minds.
Miguel Herrera, El Tri head coach at the time, admitted his side had been lucky with the decisions, which prompted the Panama players to pose with a banner that read "CONCACAF thieves. Corrupt, corrupt, corrupt" after the match, per BBC Sport:
"The first [spot kick] was not a penalty but that's not my fault, the fact is we didn't deserve to win the match because we didn't play at all well. That's football and it's not ideal. The first wasn't a penalty but the chance fell to us and we made the most of the circumstances (but) we're quite bothered to have won in this manner, playing badly.
"
However, now under the interim tenure of Ricardo Ferretti, Mexico are playing a more dynamic style of football, as demonstrated in their dramatic win against the USA, as shared by football writer Cristian Nyari:
Panama travel to Mexico on the back of a home defeat to Trinidad and Tobago, losing 2-1 in a friendly at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Goals from Kenwyne Jones and Radanfah Abu Bakr were enough for the visitors, despite Valentin Pimentel bringing Panama back into the game on the hour mark, per CONCACAF.
The 2018 World Cup qualifying campaigns are due to begin in November, and both Mexico and Panama will be using this tie to weigh up their ambitions as they move forward.
However, it is the Mexicans who are in a buoyant mood after their win against the Stars and Stripes, and they are unlikely to allow their previous history with La Marea Roja to affect their match focus.
Panama are a good team when they find their top gear, but they are unlikely to cause the hosts much of a problem on Mexican soil. Ferretti's team are high on confidence, with the Toluca game due to be a homecoming victory party for his men.
