​Mexico demolished Panama by a 4-0 score in their Quarterfinals matchup to qualify to the 2027 U20 World Cup. Mexico was once again the clearly superior team although not as clear as prior matches as they got their second consecutive 4-0 victory. Mexico will now travel to Mexico City, as the tournament moves to Estadio Banorte (Aka Estadio Azteca) to face off in the Semifinals against Canada, in a match that could determine the ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games, depending on the result from the United States vs Costa Rica semifinal match. The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with their best available as they went for the ticket to the World Cup. Panama went on the defensive from the start and had a couple of harsh fouls including one that earned them an early yellow card. Off a free kick, Juan Sigala got off a left footed shot that went well wide. After Edwin Soto seemed to be dropped in the area, no Penalty Kick was given and a small scuffle started. Off a counter, Panama had a great chance when Gerson Gordon got the ball in the area but his shot was blocked by Mexico’s defense. While Mexico had dominated at the start, Panama started to get more possession as their physicality started to bother Mexico. A left footed cross was terribly misjudged by Panama’s goalkeeper, Alberto Ruiz, who went to get it and missed it. This allowed Juan Echivelstre to get off a wide open header into the empty net to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. Hugo Camberos got the ball in the area but his right footed shot went wide. Mexico has regained complete control of the possession as Panama return to sitting back even when they now trailed. From way off the halfway line, Samir Inda got off a lobbed cross that turned into a shot and although went just wide, it gave a big scare to Ruiz. A chance in the area ended when Luis Gamboa’s cross would be won by Ruiz before the ball could reach an attacker for a close range chance. The halftime whistle blew and although it hadn’t been the greatest performance, Mexico took a deserved lead to the break. The 2nd half started with neither team making a change during the break. A longball was a very good opportunity but Ruiz was able to get to it and lob it over Camberos, just outside the area. Camberos would get elbowed in the face by Gordon in a play that should have been a red card but was only a Yellow in a bad decision by the referee. From outside the area, Sigala got off a left footed shot from outside the area that was blocked by a handball from Josue Wood and a Penalty Kick was given to Mexico. The PK was taken by Camberos, whose shot was blocked by Ruiz but left there for him to get to the rebound and get off a right footed shot past him to score and increase Mexico’s lead to 2-0. The goal looked to be key as Mexico seemed to be dominating the match against a Panama side that looked toothless on the attack so far against a good Mexican defense. Panama subbed out Shayron Stewart for Joseph Choy. Mexico subbed