Panama clearly moved up to third place in the Concacaf standings after eliminating Costa Rica in the quarter-finals of the League of Nations to qualify for the ‘Final Four’ and the Copa América.
This year, for the first time in its history, Panama connected three consecutive victories with two goals; 3-0 for Guatemala, as well as 0-3 and 3-1 for Costa Rica. In addition, the winning streak at the Rommel Fernández Stadium stretches to 11 games.
From “Fallard” to “Golard”.
The case of José Fajardo is something special. Ironically, before this shooting boom, he was remembered for that last defeat of the Panamanians against the Ticos in January 2022, when in a five-on-one match he could not define it.
From that moment he was known as “fallardo”, today it is “golardo” for the fans.
Fajardo, 30, has become a reliable scorer for Thomas Christiansen. The American striker of DC United in the era of the new Panama coach has 10 goals and is the first Panamanian to score in four consecutive games against the Costa Ricans.
Panama and 2023. unprecedented
Panama sealed this 2023 with important achievements, such as. qualification for Copa América 2024.
They will play in the Copa América for the second time and return to the Nations League Final Four.
At the beginning of 2023, the Panamanians again played in the final of the Gold Cup, although they reached that stage undefeated, in the title game they lost to Mexico 1:0.
In the League of Nations, where Panama played the most matches in 2023, they closed the year with six wins, one draw and two losses.
Panama was awarded third place at the Concacaf level before the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, beating Canada and Costa Rica. Only the US and Mexico surpassed it as rivals in the area.
Against Costa Rica, Panama has won seven games, drawn one and lost one, in the last nine meetings with the Ticos, with Christiansen as coach, with 13 goals for and 3 against.
In the last six games, the Panamanian defense has allowed only one goal.
It is the first time that the Panamanians beat the Ticos, in consecutive matches, with (3-0 and 3-1).
Panama has not scored 3 goals against a Costa Rican team since 1976, in a match of the Championship of Nations.
Source: Panama America
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
