SAN JOSE – Panama are on their way to the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League Finals this June in Las Vegas after defeating Costa Rica 1-0 to finish atop Group B of League A on Tuesday night at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Panama finish with 10 points in the group, four ahead of the second-place Ticos.
It was a cagey first 45 minutes between the two teams with few scoring chances. Michael Murillo’s right-footed shot in the 28’ was parried wide by Costa Rica GK Kevin Chamorro, while Josimar Alcocer’s stinging effort in the 34’ was touched wide by Panama GK Orlando Mosquera.
Needing a victory to advance to the CNL Finals, Costa Rica increased the pressure in the attacking third in search of a goal, with a Kendall Waston header right into the hands of Mosquera in the 52’ serving as the first look of the second stanza.
Panama had other ideas, however, and they landed a big blow in the 77’ when substitutes Edgar Barcenas and Jose Fajardo teamed up to make it 1-0 to Panama. Barcenas hit a cross from the right wing and it was volleyed powerfully into net by Fajardo inside the six-yard box for the goal.
Costa Rica needed two goals to punch their ticket to Las Vegas and a straight red card for Fajardo in the 88’ gave the Ticos a man advantage for the final minutes.
The Panamanian defense never wavered, though, and saw things out to collect the three points and nail down a place in the CNL Finals.
