Panama hero Cecilio Waterman couldn’t help but celebrate with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry after scoring a stoppage time winner against the USA in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final overnight.
Panama went into the game against former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino’s side in form side as clear second favourites. But after keeping USA at bay throughout the match, they were able to seal their place in the final thanks to Waterman’s 94th minute strike.
The winner sparked scenes of jubilation with Waterman and his teammates running over to Henry, who was working as a pundit for CBS Sports, and celebrating with the former striker.
After the match, the Panama player explained to Henry how he couldn’t resist including his idol in the celebrations.
“Last night, they asked me who my childhood idol was, and I said Thierry Henry… I scored, saw you, and knew I had to come say hi,” he said.
The win means that Panama will now play in the final against Mexico on Sunday night.
But for the USA and Pochettino, they will have to settle for a place in the third place play-off vs Canada on the same day.
The loss comes after the nation have won five of their first seven games under the ex-Spurs and Chelsea head coach.
But it comes as a blow in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, which is being held in the USA.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Pochettino has already admitted facing ‘pressure’ from president Donald Trump to win the competition. “They know it's going to be a massive pressure,” he told the Daily Mail .
“Our president likes to put pressure on. That is going to be good. And we are ready to deliver. We are a host and it's a country where the mentality is all about winning.
“In sport, everything the Americans are involved in, they want to win. That is the culture.
"It's going to be a pressure but a welcome one. We will feel the adrenalin we need to feel.”