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Andres Guardado lifts Mexico over Panama with two penalties in fortunate Gold Cup win

Panama was holding onto a lead by a thread late in their Gold Cup semifinal match against Mexico with only 10 men, after striker Luis Tejada was sent off in the 25th minute for elbowing an opponent.

In the 89th minute, a Panama defender was called for a handball after a bungled clearance just outside the six-yard box, giving Mexico a lifeline.

However, the penalty wasn’t actually taken until the 101st minute because Panamanian fans, displeased with the call, started throwing debris from the stands. And things benches started to clear.

Mexican fans’ hands were equally dirty, as they started throwing cups of beer at Panama players after they took the lead earlier in the game.

After waiting forever to actually take the penalty, Andres Guardado converted from the spot, coolly as you like, to send the game into extra time.

Panama gave up another penalty in the 105th minute, and this time, there was less gray area.

Guardado stepped up once again and gave Mexico the 2-1 lead.

Mexico held on to win, but it was ugly, and Panama was none too pleased with the outcome for obvious reasons. For example, here’s what Panama defender Adolfo Machado did after the final whistle.

The officiating crew had to be escorted off the field by security.

After the game, Panama players displayed a banner reading “CONCACAF thieves”:

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