📝 Mexico book Nations League final showdown with USA | OneFootball

The CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals take place Thursday evening as two teams will book their spot in this weekend’s final. Here is what has gone down in Dallas.

Mexico cruise past Panama to book USA showdown

Scorers: Álvarez 40′, Quiñones 43′, Pineda 67′

Mexico cruised past Panama to book a showdown with The United States in the Nations League final.

It was even-footing in the opening 40 minutes, but El Tri blew the tie wide open with two quick goals before the half-time break.

The opener came from a set-piece as Edson Álvarez headed home a free-kick just three minutes before Julián Quiñones doubled Mexico’s lead to stun the Panamanians in a flash.

Panama fashioned a glorious opportunity after the break to cut the Mexican lead in half when José Fajardo had two point-blank scoring chances, both of which were heroically saved by Memo Ochoa.

The tie was put to bed past the hour mark when second-half sub Orbelín Pineda latched onto a ball in behind before chipping the keeper to put Mexico three goals to the good.

USA ease past Jamaica after extra-time

Scorers: Burke (OG) 90+6′, Wright 96′, 109′ ; Leigh 1′

Two Haji Wright goals in extra-time saw the USA past Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final.

The United States were shellshocked in the opening 30 seconds when Greg Leigh darted in behind Joe Scally, who fell asleep at the back-post, heading home the opener for Jamaica before most of the fans had taken their seats.

Leigh’s stunner in the opening minute was the fastest goal scored against the Stars and Stripes this century.

The hosts had their chance to equalize as the clock hit the 20-minute mark when a turnover allowed the USA in behind, but somehow Christian Pulisic failed to get a shot away to cap off a three-on-one break.

Gregg Berhalter’s men poured on the pressure in the second-half as they looked to reclaim parity, but a combination of heroic Jamaica defending and poor USA finishing saw the home side struggle.

After plenty of knocking on the door, the USA final found their leveler in the 96th minute when Miles Robinson’s header from a corner deflected off of a Jamaican and into the back of the net.

As the momentum swung heading into extra-time, it did not take the USA long to find the winner as Haji Wright was played in behind by a superb Gio Reyna pass before firing sliding home his shot.

The Coventry striker backed up his leading goal with another in the second-half of the extra-time period, closing the door on any Jamaican fight back.