Canada and Mexico will meet to contest the gold medal at the women’s tournament at the 2025 IFAF Americas Flag Football Continental Championships after two thrilling semifinals.
The United States and Mexico meet in the men’s finale in a repeat of the 2023 Americas championship game. USA beat Panama 32-12 while Mexico got past Mexico with a 35-25 victory.
Both gold medal games will be live at IFAF.TV and results and standings are available at https://affpanama.org/calendario_ffcc/ and through the official tournament app Boolw.
2.15pm: Women’s Gold Medal Game: Canada vs Mexico
3.30pm: Men’s Gold Medal Game: USA vs Mexico
The women’s semis were fantastic theatre as Mexico bounced back from losing to Canada by a single point in the final game of the group stages on Saturday to stun a USA team that had appeared in every IFAF international final since 2018. Mexico beat the United States last month in the final of the World Games on the final play of the game, but in Panama they won 26-13 to upset the Americans who were unbeaten in the group stages.
Canada last medaled at the 2014 IFAF World Championships, while Mexico has won back-to-back golds at The World Games in 2022 and 2025.
Leading 13-6 at halftime, Mexico extended their lead as US defenders missed two chances to pull flags then with Maci Joncich having replaced Vanita Krouch at quarterback came up instantly with an interception. That led instantly to Mexico opening what proved to be an unassailable 13-point lead.
“I think this team is very strong and yesterday we lost and we were sad, but I think that’s one of the things that made us give everything today and learn from our mistakes,” said Mexico defensive back Andrea Martinez.
“I think we are connected now. the offense is really united so now we need to give everything and not make mistakes. We need to dominate because this tournament means the world to this Mexico team.”
Panama led Canada 18-13 at halftime after Ana Vincencini came up with an interception, but Canadian veteran quarterback twice connected with her favorite receiver Caroline Moquin Joubert to take the lead with less than a minute to play. A pick six sealed the 26-24 win for Canada.
“We were so happy,” said “Parker. “I think we deserve or spot in the finals. We believe until the very last snap that we’re going to win the game. I think we showed a lot of resilience and it shows the strength that our team has.
“I think that we’re a very strong team and what sets us apart is our character and we look at this game as any other game. We’ll do what we’re supposed to do, execute the plays like we know how to do and not make any mental mistakes.”
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
