The final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying got off to a roaring start last Friday, and Mexico are coming out of that start riding a huge high thanks to beating their arch-rivals the United States in Columbus. Now they turn their gaze to Panama while they hope to jump out of the gates with two straight wins, and the commanding position atop the table that will come with it.
Mexico vs. Panama 2016: Time, live TV schedule, and 3 things to know for World Cup qualifier
Mexico have a chance to take a commanding stance in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, but have to win in Panama to do it.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
But Panama have a big kick of momentum themselves, having beat Honduras in Honduras, giving them three unexpected points coming into this match. Panama is always a tough place to play in, so if Panama can leverage that and their momentum, they might just be able to stop Mexico cold — it will take a brilliant performance, but it’s not impossible in any way. This will be a tight, nail-biting, tricky match for both teams, and with so much on the line it’s going to be an interesting one to watch.
TV: Telemundo (U.S.), TDN, UnivisionTDN, Azteca 7, Canal 5 (Mexico), RPC Canal 4 (Panama)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, Panama City, Panama
Three big things to know
- Want to think of something interesting? When Mexico beat the USMNT on Friday, they did it without a particularly good performance from Javier Hernández. Chicharito has been a very talismanic player for Mexico ever since he hit the international scene, but against their big rivals Mexico were able to win despite him largely getting marked out. That is thanks in large part to strong play from their wide forwards. You know that Hernández is happy with the win, but he’s not going to be happy unless he puts in a much better individual performance against Panama, so he’s going to come out on a mission in this match.
- How freaking good was Alberto Quintero against Honduras? He was all over the place on the wing in that match, flying up and down to the pitch to create danger in the final third or to break things up when Panama were in defense, and when needed to he came inside to help support the central midfield quite effectively. If Panama are going to get something out of this game they’re going to need a similarly excellent performance from him this time around — let’s hope he’s up the the challenge.
- Unfortunately for Panama, history is against them — they’ve periodically beaten Mexico in competitions like the Gold Cup, but they haven’t beaten El Tri at home since 1980. That’s a long time to go without a home win even against a team as good as Mexico, especially when you consider that they’re without even a draw at home against them since 2005. You can never say never, though, and you can bet that Panama will go all-out for as long as they can.
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