MIAMI, Florida – Panama advanced to the Final of Group C of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 win over Papua New Guinea on Sunday at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
Both teams took the pitch with eagerness, and it was the the Oceania side who tried to score first. In the 4’, the first intervention of the match came for 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship Golden Glove winner Yenith Bailey, who stopped a chance for FW Calista Maneo.
Shortly after, Panama took control of the game. The first chance for Las Canaleras arrived in the 7’ when Rebeca Espinosa latched onto a ball in the area from a corner kick, but sent it over the post.
The breakthrough for Panama would arrive in the 12’, as the always present Marta Cox was ready in the area to receive a pass from Katherin Castillo and score the first goal for Las Canaleras on a sensational bicycle kick for a 1-0 lead.
¡@fepafut venció a Papúa Nueva Guinea en los Playoff de la @FIFAWWC!
— Concacaf W (@ConcacafW) February 19, 2023
Ahora enfrentará a Paraguay para definir su paso a la Copa Mundial.
¡Vamos Panamá 🇵🇦! pic.twitter.com/F9efEbPeSB
Panama had several other chances to add onto their lead, but it was Papua New Guinea who nearly evened things up right before the first half ended. In the 43’, Bailey denied the Lakatois the equalizer by blocking a shot from Ramona Padio in the area, immediately followed by another save to keep Panama ahead.
The second half started with both teams going all in for the win. In the 50’, Riley Tanner, who was substituted on at halftime, had the first big chance of the second half, shooting in the area among a sea of defenders but hitting the post.
However, Tanner didn’t stop trying and in the 63’ she went past four defenders and Papua New Guinea GK Betty Sam, firing back across goal and sending it to the back of the net, giving Panama the second goal of the evening.
Panama kept control the rest of the way, finishing the job and getting through the remainder of the game with a great display.
With this win, Panama advanced to the Group C Final against Paraguay on Tuesday, in which one of the last tickets to the Women’s World Cup in Australia /New Zealand will be awarded.
