Canaleros advance: Panama defeats Costa Rica 3-1 in Concacaf Nations League

Panama advances to Concacaf Nations League semifinals with 3-1 win over Costa Rica, also qualifying for 2024 Copa América.

Panama secured a spot in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica on Monday. This win also earned them a place in the 2024 Copa América. The match, held at the Rommel Fernández Stadium in Panama City, saw goals from José Fajardo, José Luis Rodríguez, and Édgar Bárcenas for the home team, while Francisco Calvo scored for Costa Rica.

Panama's 3-0 advantage from the first leg in San José last Thursday allowed them to advance to the semifinals of the Nations League and secure one of the six spots for Concacaf teams in the Copa América. The Panamanians displayed superior performance throughout the tie, overshadowing Costa Rica's efforts despite having a new coach in Gustavo Alfaro.

Costa Rica started the match with intensity, but Fajardo's early goal in the 21st minute extinguished any hopes of a comeback. Rodríguez and Bárcenas added two more goals before halftime, while Calvo scored for Costa Rica in the second half.

Despite an improved performance from Costa Rica, Panama held strong and managed to secure their spot in the semifinals. This will be Panama's second appearance in the Copa América, having previously participated in the 2016 edition.

The upcoming quarterfinals match between Costa Rica and Panama will determine one of the four teams to advance to the Nations League semifinals, as well as grant the winner direct qualification to the next Copa América. The victor will have the opportunity to compete against teams from the Caribbean, Central, and North American regions, as well as potential powerhouses such as Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

In the first leg, Panama dominated the game and secured a 3-0 victory at the Saprissa Stadium in Costa Rica. This victory gives them a significant advantage heading into the second leg.

Costa Rica and Panama will face off in an exciting quarterfinals match, with the winner securing a spot in the semifinals and direct qualification to the next Copa América. Fans can catch the action through various streaming services and open TV channels, as well as stay updated with minute-by-minute coverage and live commentary on social media platforms.