Cedeno rises up to head Panama into Women’s World Cup

MIAMI, Florida – Lineth Cedeno scored a dramatic second half goal to earn Panama a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Group C Final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoffs on Thursday at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, sending Panama to their first ever Women’s World Cup.

Cedeno’s timely header punches a ticket to Australia/New Zealand 2023 for Las Canaleras, who will slot into Group F with France, Brazil and fellow Concacaf nation Jamaica.

Concacaf will boast a record six nations at the tournament this summer, with Panama joining the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Haiti.

After coming off the bench in the semifinal to score against Papua New Guinea, Riley Tanner was slotted into the starting XI and almost immediately found another goal in the 10’, as she forced a turnover from the Paraguay defense and had a crack at goal, only to send it over the crossbar.

But the remainder of the first half saw Paraguay largely in control, with their first chance coming in the 23’ through Lice Chamorro, whose soaring header flew over the net.

The best look for the South Americans came in the final seconds of the half on a Jessica Martinez free kick, but 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship Golden Glove winner Yenith Bailey flew to the rescue to prevent the goal and keep things scoreless.

Panama were a much-improved side in the second half and started to peg back Paraguay in their own half.

Las Canaleras kept probing and prodding and finally broke through in the 75’ when Marta Cox flighted in a free kick that reached Cedeno, who had a free header in front of goal and beat Paraguay GK Alicia Bobadilla to give Panama a 1-0 lead.

Bailey and the Panamanian defense were perfect the rest of the way, including a final minute save from Bailey, to nail down the historic victory.