Pineda: "God Is With Me" After Clutch Penalty Sends Honduras Into Semifinals

Carlos Pineda became the unlikely hero of Honduras’ penalty shootout win over Panama in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. His decisive sixth-kick conversion sealed the historic victory — and he credited divine help for the moment: “Thank God it fell to me.”

The Olimpia midfielder wasn’t just crucial from the spot; he also played a key role during regular time, creating the play that led to Panama’s own-goal equalizer. “We had already picked the first five takers, and I got to choose the sixth. My wife at home is over the moon,” he said with a smile.

Things have not been easy for Honduras, particularly after a crushing defeat to Canada in the group stage, but they overcame the odds and a difficult rival to progress. After the dramatic win, Pineda emphasized the team’s collective ambition: “Our goal was to reach the final. This is one step closer. It wasn’t easy, but we’re happy to be through.”

Head coach Reinaldo Rueda praised the squad’s mentality: “We didn’t come to the U.S. for a holiday. We want that sixth match.” And Pineda echoed that sentiment: “It’s my first Gold Cup, and we wanted to compete at the highest level — to put Honduras where we belong.”

With grit, humility, and faith, Honduras continues to defy expectations in the tournament, reigniting hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time in nearly two decades.