The Panama team beat their similar team from Canada 1-0 in the closing of the octagonal final of the Concacaf qualifiers, in a mere game of formality as the canaleros were already out of contention to qualify for the FIFA Cup. world of Qatar at earlier dates.

The Panamanian team finished the octagonal final with 21 points and in fifth place in the standings, while the Canadians, added 28 units, despite the loss, finished in first place in the standings.

In the 7th minute, Alberto Quintero dropped the right wing and took a cross, but the Canadian defense cleared, in the first danger option of a game that started quite abruptly.

The Panamanians went on the attack and in the 12th minute, José Luis Rodríguez launched a cross headed by Gabriel Torres, but it went wide.

In the first half hour, the Panamanians tried everything to put pressure on the rival, while the Canadians defended and could not reach the Panamanian goal kept by Luis Mejía.

The last dangerous option of the first half was for the Panamanians at minute 46 on a long-range shot from Cristian Martínez, but the ball went wide of the Canadian goal, kept by Maxime Crepeau.

The start of the second half was everything for Panama, who insisted on the wings with speed, and those attacks paid off for the hosts.

In the 49th minute, José Luis Rodríguez broke away from the left and took a cross that Gabriel Torres needed, without dropping it and with his right leg, scoring the first “canalero” goal.

The second goal could have entered the game at minute 54 when Cesar Blackman crossed for Cecilio Waterman, but he finished wide.

The Canadians tried in the 70th minute when Junior Hoilett combined with Cyle Larin, who lifted a cross for Jonathan David’s shot, but Luis Mejía saved to keep the score for the hosts.

At minute 80, the VAR was the protagonist in the cancellation, due to an offside by Canadian striker Cyle Larin, the equalizer of the visit.

Panamanian Rolando Blackburn had the last dangerous chance of the match in the 95th minute, in a one-on-one with Crepeau, but the Panamanian couldn’t define what appeared to be the hosts’ second goal.

After seven minutes of extra time, the Panamanians withstood the onslaught of the Canadians, who ended the duel by attacking with five forwards, to close the octagon with a victory and say goodbye in the best possible way to the handful of fans who attended the Rommel Fernández. Gutierrez Stadium.

– Technical sheet

1. Panama: Luis Mejía, Michael Amir Murillo (m.46 César Blackman), Harold Cummings, José Córdoba, Eric Davis; Aníbal Godoy, Cristian Martínez (m.63 Adalberto Carrasquilla), José Luis Rodríguez, Alberto Quintero (m.72 Edgar Yoel Bárcenas), Gabriel Torres (m.85 Fidel Escobar) and Cecilio Waterman (m.63 Rolando Blackburn).

Coach: Thomas Christiansen.

0. Canada: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston (m.73 Richie Laryea), Atiba Hutchinson, Kamal Miller, Samuel Adekugbe, Ismael Kone (m.46 Jonathan Osorio), Mark-Anthony Kaye (m.60 Junior Hoilett), Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan (m.87 Ike Ugbo); Lucas Cavallini (d.61 Cyle Larin) and Jonathan David.

Coach: John Herman

Referee: American Jair Marrufo reprimanded Panamanian Eric Davis, Thomas Christiansen, Cristian Martínez, Harold Cummings, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Luis Mejía expelled Javier Sánchez Jara (Panama technical assistant). Canadians Lucas Cavallini and Jonathan Osorio saw yellow.

Goals: 1-0, m.49: Gabriel Torres.

Incidents: Match of the 14th day of the octagonal final of the Concacaf qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup, played at the Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez stadium, east of the Panamanian capital. EFE

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