By Ivan Orozco

GLENDALE, Arizona - The group stage of the Gold Cup came to an end Sunday, but not before the last leg brought a turn of events.

The Group C standings finished as most expected.

Mexico won the group with seven points after a draw against Panama and victories against Nicaragua and Guadeloupe, the latter a 2-0 final result Sunday at the University of Phoenix stadium.

Guadeloupe closed with six points in second place. Panama squeezed in to the quarterfinals with a 4-0 routing of Nicaragua Sunday, who finished last without scoring a goal in the tournament.

Things didn't appear to be heading in that direction earlier this week.

Mexico was coming off a bizarre night after its draw with Panama in Houston and appeared to be struggling.

Guadeloupe led the group and was being considered a serious contender against Mexico.

Panama and Nicaragua still had a shot at the next round.

But Nicaragua couldn't overcome the challenge and task of participating in its first major international tournament with what are virtually amateur players and were eliminated.

Mexico, Guadeloupe and Panama will continue in the competition next weekend.

El Tri will face Haiti and Guadeloupe plays Costa Rica in Dallas, while Panama travels to Philadelphia to square-off against the United States.

Of the three Group C teams, Mexico might be the most relived with the final standings.

"We learned that we must not play under pressure," said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. "We need to relax a little bit. We don't function well when we're under pressure. I think we got rid of that today, to an extent. Next Sunday I expect a recuperated Mexican team that will be rested."

After what can be considered a rough ride Mexican players said they can take plenty out of group play.

Aguirre is the first to point it out.

"We gained confidence. Maybe in the last two games we were a team under plenty of pressure," said Aguirre, who won't be on the field to coach El Tri against Haiti as he is serving a three game suspension. "I think the players were relaxed today, especially in the first half. That took a good weight off our shoulders. I think we've gone from a little to more. I hope we continue with that until the end of the tournament."

That's where Panama would also like to be after beating the odds and qualifying despite a loss to Guadeloupe and its tie with Mexico.

"The first game against Guadeloupe was a surprise, we lost and then we had to face a tough Mexico team," said Blas Perez, Panama's outstanding forward said. "But the players were motivated for that game and we pulled out a good result against them. It was up to us to take care of Nicaragua and we did, and now we're much more motivated for what comes ahead."

Panama reached the final of the 2005 version of the tournament where it lost in penalty kicks to the United States.

What will Panama be looking for in the game against the Americans...revenge and redemption possibly?

"Revenge," Perez said. "But also, in reality, it's very motivating to play against a team like the United States, who is one of the best teams in this region."

Guadeloupe wasn't happy to lose to Mexico but knew a second place finish would put them through the next round.

The Gwada Boys probably proved their 2007 semifinal outing was not a fluke but that will not be certain until Guadeloupe can repeat its previous outcome.

Guadeloupe coach Roger Salnot's priority is not to shutdown doubters but to beat a "solid and prepared" Costa Rica team.

"We didn't come to play to qualify to the quarterfinals," Salnot said in French through an interpreter. "There's plenty more work to do."