On Thursday night, Panama pulled off a dramatic win over the USA in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final, and their celebrations were made even sweeter by a surprising interaction with football legend Thierry Henry.
The 33-year-old Cecilio Waterman scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute, securing Panama’s second win over the USA in less than a year.
What followed was a remarkable moment of pure joy for the team, as they rushed to embrace Henry, who was working as a pundit for CBS Sports.
Waterman’s Wild Celebration with Thierry Henry
As soon as the final whistle blew, Waterman and his teammates sprinted behind the goal, where Henry was stationed to offer his insights.
The striker, who plays for Chilean club Coquimbo Unido, couldn’t contain his excitement.
He started shouting at Henry and pointing right in his face, before pulling him into a big hug.
Although it’s unclear exactly what was being said, Henry took it all in good spirits, laughing and smiling as the Panama players swarmed him for a group hug.
It was an unexpected but memorable moment that captured the excitement and chaos of the game.
USA’s Heartbreaking Loss and Pochettino’s Pressure
The victory was especially sweet for Panama, who had been the underdogs going into the match.
USA had entered the semi-final as the favorites, with high hopes under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The loss was a painful blow for Pochettino’s side, who had been riding high on a strong run of form.
Earlier in the week, Pochettino had boldly claimed that the USA could win the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with Mexico and Canada.
The loss on Thursday night, however, was a setback to those ambitions and a reminder that even the best teams can falter under pressure.
Panama’s Next Challenge
With their win, Panama secured a spot in Sunday’s Nations League final against Mexico, while the USA now faces Canada in the third-place playoff.
For Panama, it’s an exciting opportunity to continue their impressive run and perhaps claim another scalp.
As for the USA, they’ll need to regroup quickly, as their path to World Cup glory just got a little more challenging.
It was a night full of emotions, but one that will be remembered for Panama’s stunning victory and the unexpected but unforgettable moment shared with Thierry Henry.