Panama and Guatemala Share Points in World Cup Qualifier
The Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City hosted a tense and emotional clash as Panama and Guatemala met in the second matchday of the Concacaf Final Round qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Both sides arrived with pressure on their shoulders—Panama searching for its first victory and Guatemala aiming to stay alive in a very tight Group A. In the end, the game finished in a 1-1 draw, leaving mixed feelings for both nations.
The night began with a surprising punch from Guatemala. In the 35th minute, Óscar Santis found himself in the right place at the right time. After a clever assist from Arquímides Ordóñez, Santis pushed the ball into the net and silenced the Panamanian fans. For a moment, it looked as if Luis Fernando Tena’s side was going to pull off a major upset away from home.
But that joy lasted only a couple of minutes. Panama reacted almost immediately. Erick Davis delivered a precise cross, and Carlos Harvey rose above the defense to head the ball past goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen. With that, the match was quickly balanced again, and the atmosphere inside the stadium turned electric.
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The rest of the first half was played at a frantic pace, with both teams creating chances. A controversial moment came when Santis appeared to be fouled in the box by Orlando Mosquera. The Guatemalan bench demanded a penalty, but after a VAR review, the referee decided to let play continue. That decision fueled the intensity, especially from the visitors, who felt they had been denied a golden opportunity.
As the second half unfolded, Panama took control of possession—over 70% by the final whistle—but struggled to turn dominance into goals. Guatemala, on the other hand, relied on defensive discipline and quick counterattacks. The Chapines even celebrated a second goal briefly, only for it to be ruled out due to an offside.
Late in the match, Panama threw everything forward. Shots from Tomás Rodríguez and Cecilio Waterman were blocked, while goalkeeper Hagen became the hero for Guatemala with several key saves. The home crowd grew restless as time slipped away, and when the final whistle was blown, frustration was clear on the Panamanian bench.
For Guatemala, however, the draw was celebrated almost like a victory. Taking a point from Panama in such a difficult environment can be seen as a valuable result, especially after starting the round with a loss. For Panama, though, the outlook is more worrying. After two games, Thomas Christiansen’s team has yet to secure a win, raising doubts about their consistency in this decisive phase.
The result leaves Group A wide open. Surinam currently sits on top after defeating El Salvador, while Panama and Guatemala now share the middle ground. Every point will matter as the race toward the 2026 World Cup continues, and this 1-1 draw will surely be remembered as a battle of grit, nerves, and missed chances on both sides.
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