World Cup Qualifying: How to watch Mexico vs Panama on February 2, 2022

Topics: World Cup Qualifying, CONCACAF, Mexico, Panama, TV Schedules, TV Listings

Whoever wins this match will control their destiny in the race for a direct spot to the World Cup...or to the intercontinental playoffs.

Mexico and Panama will lock horns at Estadio Azteca in the final game of this international break, and it will be a high-stakes game for both teams.

These teams have already met once before in these qualifiers, with Mexico being able to escape Rommel Fernández Stadium with a draw back in September, when things seemed to be on a roll for El Tri. Now, things have changed and Mexico have only been able to win one of their last four, which has made things more complicated for the CONCACAF giants and has also put Gerardo "Tata" Martino's spot as El Tri boss in jeopardy.

On the other hand, Panama bounced back from a heart-breaking loss to Costa Rica and claimed a huge come-from-behind win over Jamaica last weekend, which got them close to the World Cup Qualifying spots. As of now, Thomas Christiansen's team is one point behind Mexico in the race for third place, and a win here would not only help their case, it would also be a once in a lifetime event, as Los Canaleros have never won a match when visiting Estadio Azteca.

Mexico will need coach Martino to find the best tactics to end their woeful run at home. Mexico has struggled to get results at Estadio Azteca, winning two and drawing two more, one of them against Canada and last weekend facing Costa Rica. Martino's job as Mexico's tactician has been put under questioning by fans and experts, and a loss here could prompt a harsh decision by his bosses as a desperate measure to try and turn the team's fortunes around.

As previously stated, this has been quite a run for Panama under Danish coach Christiansen, which would be capped with a potential win here. La Marea Roja has lost three of their previous five games on the road, but getting at least a draw in this match would keep the battle open for the final International Break, where they will play as hosts in two of their final three matches.

Let's have a look at some of the key aspects of this game before its kickoff.

Mexico vs Panama - Who's in and who's out?

Mexico - Injured: Jorge Sánchez. Ineligible: Osvaldo Rodríguez (COVID-19). Suspended: Héctor Moreno, Luis Rodríguez. Doubtful:Raúl Jiménez, Edson Álvarez.

Panama - Injured: Andrés Andrade, Harold Cummings, Azmahar Ariano, Andrés Cecilio Waterman. Ineligible: Abdiel Arroyo.

Mexico vs Panama - Head-to-head stats

The previous match of the qualifiers between these teams ended in a one-all draw at Rommel Fernández Stadium back in September.
Mexico have won 14 games against Panama across all competitions. Six of their previous 22 matches have ended in draws, while Panama have only been able to win two of those matches.
Panama's last trip to Azteca Stadium ended in a 3-1 loss for Los Canaleros.
These teams last met in a FIFA World Cup Qualifying match in Mexico City on September 1, 2017. That clash ended in a one-nil win for Mexico.
Jorge Dely Valdés and Luis Tejada are the only players from Panama to have scored a goal at Azteca Stadium in a World Cup Qualifying match.
Mexico enter this clash on a eleven-game run without a loss against Panama across all competitions (nine wins, two draws).