MIAMI, Florida – There has been no shortage of memorable match-ups between Honduras and Panama, especially in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying, and another chapter will be added this Thursday when Panama play host to their Central American rivals at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.

In the overall series between the two countries in all competitions, Honduras hold an edge of 23W-11D-12L, with 67 goals scored and 38 against, but in WCQ, the margins are much smaller.

There have been 13 matches between the two on the road to various World Cups and each side has five wins to their name, to go along with three draws, which have all come in the last six contests.

While Honduras qualified for both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, they have not achieved victory against Panama in a WCQ since May 7, 2000 in qualifying for South Korea/Japan 2002 when a Carlos Pavon brace powered the Catrachos to a 3-1 win in Tegucigalpa.

Since then, the Canaleros are unbeaten in their last seven qualifiers against Honduras, with four victories and three draws. Their first qualifier in the Final Round cycle for Qatar 2022 saw Panama rally from a 2-0 second half deficit to top Honduras, 3-2, in San Pedro Sula.

When it comes to playing qualifiers at home, Panama are among the best in the region. The 2018 World Cup participants are unbeaten in their last 15 home qualifiers, with 10 wins and five draws, including the 2-1 and 3-2 comeback wins versus El Salvador and Jamaica, respectively, in the Final Round.

One has to go back to 2015 for the last time when Panama lost a WCQ at home, a 2-1 final to Costa Rica in the Fourth Round of Concacaf WCQ for Russia 2018.

While Panama have proven a tough foe at home, Honduras can point to their recent results in Panama City in WCQ for some confidence. The two teams met twice in Panama on the road to Brazil 2014, a 0-0 draw followed by a 2-0 Panama win, while in WCQ for Russia 2018, Honduras collected a point in a 2-2 draw.

As far as proven goal scorers, Panama can turn to Cecilio Waterman (7 goals) and Rolando Blackburn (5), who are among Panama’s top six all-time Concacaf WCQ goal scorers, while Honduras have the benefit of competing with one of the best goalkeepers in the Concacaf region in Luis Lopez, who has made 30 saves in the Final Round.

Another classic between these two Central American countries should produce a result that will come down to the final minutes.