Hornets wing-back Miguel Layun helped Mexico reach the final of the Gold Cup yesterday (Thursday) as El Tri defeated Panama 2-1 after extra time. But the scoreline doesn’t quite do justice to what was an extraordinary contest.

Mexico were favourites to progress and their hopes of making the final were boosted further when Panama’s Luis Tejada was sent off for striking Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez in the 25th minute.

Miguel Herrera’s side were unable to break the deadlock before the interval and they then fell behind just before the hour mark when Roman Torres headed home.

Layun played 77 minutes before being replaced by Javier Orozco but the drama didn’t unfold until the final minutes.

Mexico were awarded a controversial 89th minute penalty when Torres handled in the area after falling.

The two benches almost came to blows over the decision while fans threw cups and rubbish onto the field. After a ten minute delay, Andres Guardado converted to send the game into extra time.

And, halfway through the additional 30 minutes, Carlos Vela was felled in the area and Guardado fired home from the spot for a second time to book Mexico’s place in the final.

El Tri will take on surprise finalists Jamaica in the early hours of Monday.