Mexico leaped to the top of their hexagonal with a 1-0 win over Jamaica earlier this week but most felt El Tri's next match would be a true indication of how good the team could be as World Cup qualifying continued. Facing off with Panama - the second place team in the hexagonal heading into Friday's match - Mexico knew the challenge would be significant but as they aimed to build off some recent offensive success, the Mexican nationals knew they had strong offensive players in Chicharito, Pablo Barrera and Giovani Dos Santos.
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El Tri's first opportunity in the opening frame came at the 9-minute mark. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez had a good look at a scoring chance but his shot from the left side was turned aside by Panama keeper Jaime Penedo. A second chance came in the 17th minute when from just inside the top of the box, Chicharito seemed to have a straightaway look on goal but his shot was quickly blocked by the Panamanian defense, keeping the game in a scoreless tie. Narrowly missing a third attempt on a crossing feed in first half stoppage time, El Tri couldn't find the back of the net.
Playing to a scoreless first half, both offenses were held in check through 45-plus minutes of action as defense wrote the script from the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama. It was much of the same in the second half as neither team was able to get anything going on the offensive end. Panama's Blas Perez had a good look in the 63rd-minute but his right-footed shot from the outside of the box was saved by El Tri keeper Jose Corona, leaving the qualifier at a 0-0 tie.
The United States finished their match with Jamaica while Mexico and Panama were in the second half of their game. By way of a thrilling 2-1 victory, the U.S. jumped to the top of the standings in the hexagonal bracket with 7 points so in order to keep pace with the Americans, Mexico would need at least a point in the Panama contest.
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El Tri's tie with Panama held up as both teams earned a point, putting Mexico in a tie with the United States atop the hexagonal pool with Panama only one point behind the two teams. Mexico will now prepare to face Costa Rica on Tuesday, June 11th while Panama gets set to square off against the United States that same evening.
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