Colombia and Mexico played out a 1-1 draw in the Central American and Caribbean Games final on Thursday. The match was decided by penalties after extra time, with Mexico emerging victorious. The result means the tournament ends with shared honours rather than a clear winner.
I. Guerra gave Colombia the lead in the 118th minute. Then came the penalties. N. Perez and M. Carvajal converted for Mexico, while N. Colin also scored. By then, Colombia had missed twice through I. Guerra and K. Ibarguen. V. Vargas pulled one back from the spot for the hosts.
What followed was chaotic. A. Mendoza scored a regular goal at 120+4, which felt like a late twist in a game already spinning off its rails. F. Viafara and A. Veloz added penalties for Colombia and Mexico respectively. The shootout went on longer than anyone expected, and when it finished, Mexico had taken it 4-3 on penalties.
Statistics tell you something about control but not who wanted it more. Mexico had slightly more possession at 52 per cent and more attacks at 108 to Colombia's 95. Colombia managed more shots on target, two to four, but neither side could break through in normal time. Five corners for Colombia against two for Mexico showed one team trying to set up from dead balls.
Colombia came into this match unbeaten in five going back to their loss to Mexico on July 31 that they had lost 1-0. Mexico had been in strong form, beating Jamaica 7-0 and Salvador 4-1 in their last two games. This result changes nothing in any league table, but it ends a tournament where both sides had looked dangerous.