Dr. Joe Machnik analyzes controversial calls from Panama-Mexico
Panama protested. Mexico joined the melee. Fans threw bottles onto the field as security surrounded the players.
Great soccer had given way to a scary scene at the Georgia Dome, as the Gold Cup semifinals suddenly turned ugly.
Where did things go wrong? According to our rules expert, Dr. Joe Machnik, the match turned on three critical calls, and a bad one proved key to Mexico's 2-1 victory — as well as the chaos that marred it. Watch his analysis in the video above.
Afterward, Panama's players took a team photo to show how they felt. Translated, the sign reads “CONCACAF Thieves” and “Corrupt.”
Mensaje de los jugadores de Panamá @fepafut a @CONCACAF ¡Ladrones! ¡Corruptos! pic.twitter.com/rp8unSNipt
— Futbología (@futbologia) July 23, 2015
The wildness wasn't limited to Panama-Mexico, either. The USA-Jamaica semifinal also had its share of stuff. Check out the highlights from both matches in the video below:
