Panama’s heroes celebrated their last-minute victory over USA with Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry on Thursday night.
USA entered the Concacaf Nations League semi-final in California as clear favourites as they looked to continue their strong form under Mauricio Pochettino.
But the hosts were unable to find a breakthrough, before Panama landed the ultimate sucker punch in the 94th minute as 33-year-old Cecilio Waterman fired home the winning goal.
Waterman and his team-mates ran behind the goal and quickly picked out Henry who was covering the game as a pundit for CBS Sports.
Waterman – who plays his club football for Chilean side Coquimbo Unido – started shouting at Henry and pointing in his face before embracing him.
It is unclear as to exactly what he was saying but Henry took it in good spirits as he smiled and started laughing, before Waterman’s team-mates also piled in to hug the Frenchman.
Panama’s Cecilio Waterman (right) started shouting at pointing at Thierry Henry after scoring a late winner
The pair embraced before Waterman’s team-mates piled in to hug Henry as well
Waterman’s goal stunned USA and secured Panama’s place in the Concacaf Nations League final
It was a remarkable moment for Panama, who held on in the final minutes to secure their second victory over USA in nine months, having also beaten them on home soil last June.
But it was a bitter blow for USA after Pochettino insisted earlier this week that his team could win next year’s World Cup when they host the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.
His comments came as he admitted there is ‘massive pressure’ from US president Donald Trump for his team to go all the way at the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino has won five of his first seven games in charge of the US national team, but Thursday’s loss was a significant setback for his side.
Panama will now play in Sunday night’s Nations League final against Mexico, while USA go into the third-place playoff with Canada.
