Panama scores famous victory over USA at CONMEBOL Copa América™

• Panama achieved one of its country’s biggest victories, defeating the tournament hosts 2-1.

• Uruguay and Bolivia play later tonight to conclude the second matchday of Group C.

Highlights

– Florian Balogun scores his second goal of the tournament to give the USA a 1-0 lead after his team was down to ten men.

– Panama reacted immediately and equalized in the 26th minute.

– Los Canaleros then secured a famous victory through Jose Fajardo, who scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute.

Game summary

A packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, provided the backdrop for the Concacaf duel between the USA and Panama on the second matchday of Group C on June 27.

Panama had the first good chance of the game when Yoel Bárcenas attempted an overhead kick that flew over Matt Turner’s net, but American Weston Mckennie was the first to put the ball in the opponent’s goal and appeared to score in the 5th minute.

After a superb free kick from Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards’ header hit the Panamanian crossbar before Tim Ream fed the rebound to McKennie, who curled the ball into the top corner. It looked like the USA had scored another early goal, but Ream was ruled offside and the game remained 0-0.

Fourteen minutes later, the USA were down to ten men after a red card was given to striker Tim Weah. The Americans didn’t let that slow them down, however, as Florian Balogun scored his second goal of the CONMEBOL Copa Amércia™ in the 22nd minute. The Monaco player fired a scorching shot from the edge of the Panama box to give his country an early lead. Panama responded four minutes later, however, through Cesar Blackman, who scored when his shot from the edge of the box went past goalkeeper Turner.

As the first half progressed, the two teams exchanged chances, with Panama dominating the game more due to its numerical superiority.

The United States made three substitutions in the second half, including Ethan Horvath in goal for Turner. In the 63rd minute, Panama thought they were going to be awarded a penalty when Jose Fajardo went down in the United States penalty area, but after consulting the video referee, referee Iván Barton ruled that there was no contact and play was restarted at 1-1. From there, the game became even more exciting.

The USA’s best chance of the second half fell to Ricardo Pepi in the 81st minute when he received a cross from McKennie on a counterattack, but the young striker was unable to capitalize. Minutes later, Fajardo scored Panama’s opening goal against their Concacaf rivals with a brilliant direct shot in the 83rd minute. A hectic finish followed, with Panama also down to ten men after Adalberto Carrasquilla was sent off in the 88th minute. The Americans desperately pushed for an equalizer, but it was not to be, and Panama celebrated an incredible victory against the tournament hosts.

Watch the match highlights between Panama 2:1 USA.

What’s next?

The United States closes the group stage with a big clash against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on July 1 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, while Panama faces Bolivia the same day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Lineups:

United States: gymnast; Robinson, Richards, Ream, Scally; Reyna, Adams, McKennie, Weah, Balogun, Pulisic

Substitutes used: Horvath, Carter-Vickers, Cardoso, Pepi, Sargent

Cards: Weah (Red), Robinson (Yellow), Richards (Yellow)

Coach: Gregg Berhalter

Panama: Mosque; Murillo, Farina, Cordoba, Miller, Davis; Barcenas, Carrasquilla, Martinez, Blackman; Guerrero

Substitutes used: Fajardo, Gondola, Ayarza,

Cards: Guerrero (yellow), Carrasquilla (red), Farina (yellow), Gondola (yellow)

Coach: Thomas Christiansen

Goals: 22′, Florian Balogun (U), 26′, Cesar Blackman (P), 83′, Jose Fajardo (P)

Superior Player of the Game Michelob ULTRA: Folarin Balogun (USA)

Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (USA)