Panama on Tuesday played its best game of the 2021 Gold Cup, but, unfortunately, it was not enough to see them advance to the quarterfinals, according to CONCACAF.
It said that Los Canaleros were impressive in their Group D finale, cruising past Grenada in a 3-1 win at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fl.
Yet, due to Qatar beating Honduras 2-0, Panama was, unfortunately, held out of moving forward in the Gold Cup, CONCACAF said.
“Panama could not have asked for a better start,” it said. “In the sixth minute, the team pulled off a dazzling display of accurate passes that eventually ended up in the feet of forward Alberto Quintero.
“He would blast the ball to the far post, an impossible shot for Grenada goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook to stop,” it added.
In the 27th minute mark, Panama pushed its score to 2-0, thanks to a similarly impressive display of touches that would eventually end up with midfield Jose Rodriguez, CONCACAF said.
“He would slot the ball to the bottom corner to get on the scoresheet,” it said.
CONCACAF said Panama continued to be aggressive, constantly pushing for its third goal in the second half.
Midfielder Edgar Barcenas would find Rodriguez, who took on the Grenadian defense to score his goal of the night, with a precise left-footed finish in the 64th minute, CONCACAF said.
“Although Grenada won’t be happy with its final match of the 2021 Gold Cup, they did manage to get a consolation goal in the 76th minute,” it said, with Grenada’s Romar Frank taking advantage of “a big error from Panama captain Adolfo Machado to cut the score to a two-goal deficit.”
In the final minutes, CONCACAF said Grenada was looking to score its second goal of the night — creating several late opportunities.
“However, Panama also asserted itself as it ensured it would wrap up the match by fighting to retain possession,” CONCACAF said.
