A primary-time winner of the Concacaf Nations League will probably be topped on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, the place Mexico and Panama will face off within the last of the competitors as each goal a statement-making win with the 2026 World Cup in North America on the horizon. Mexico, one of many co-hosts of subsequent summer season’s competitors, enter their third CNL last because the overwhelming favorites, whereas Panama will compete within the last of this event for the primary time.
Mexico booked a spot within the last after a 2-0 win over Canada, who got here up with an lively efficiency however have been much less scientific than El Tri. Raul Jimenez stole the present with a brace, giving Mexico the lead within the opening minute earlier than supplementing it with a second half objective. He, alongside the in-form AC Milan goalscorer Santiago Gimenez, will probably be counted on to assist Mexico win their first trophy because the 2023 Gold Cup after they have been lacking a handful of their top-tier gamers. A win for Mexico in Sunday’s sport will include a significant vote of confidence for Javier Aguirre, who kicked off his third stint accountable for the staff in October and has been tasked with rejuvenating a staff that has underwhelmed in recent times after serving as Concacaf’s gold normal.
Panama, in the meantime, will intention to placed on a second robust efficiency of the week after their shock 1-0 win over the U.S. males’s nationwide staff, the one earlier winner of the competitors. They’re undoubtedly the underdogs however their upward trajectory over the past a number of years means they don’t seem to be to be underestimated, particularly underneath Thomas Christiansen. This will probably be their second last in continental competitions underneath the pinnacle coach, who has steadily helped them punch above their weight and now has them one sport away from their first main trophy ever.
This is what you want to know earlier than tuning in.
Paramount+ is the place to stream Concacaf Nations League matches this season. Along with the Nations League last, be certain to not miss the USMNT’s third-place grudge match in opposition to Canada. And when the membership sport returns, Paramount+ is the place for all of your Champions League, Serie A, NWSL motion and extra. Enroll now.
How can USMNT get better? What U.S. Soccer want to alter earlier than Canada match in Nations League third-place match
Chuck Sales space
How one can watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, March 23 | Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
- Reside stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Mexico -220; Draw +300; Panama +550
Projected lineups
Mexico: Luis Malagon, Israel Reyes, Edson Alvarez, Johan Vazquez, Roberto Alvarado, Carlos Rodriguez, Erik Lira, Jesus Gallardo, Santiago Gimenez, Raul Jimenez, Alexis Vega
Panama: Orlando Mosquera, Cesar Blackman, Carlos Harvey, Edgardo Farina, Jose Cordoba, Jorge Gutierrez, Christian Martinez, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Anibal Godoy, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Jose Fajardo
Prediction
This sport is Mexico’s to lose and contemplating what’s on the road, there’s little motive to suspect that they’ll lose. With the likes of Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez to rely on, anticipate El Tri to take pleasure in a reasonably easy outing and win their first CNL title. Decide: Mexico 2, Panama 0
