Panama snuck away from Seattle with a 1-0 win over Martinique, although they hardly deserved it. Martinique had three penalty shouts earlier in the match and it took late fortune for the Canaleros to get their lone goal that puts them on six point, top of Group A.
Panama vs. Martinique: Final score 1-0, Late penalty saves Canaleros
Martinique have to feel hard done after a late Gabriel Torres penalty earned Panama a 1-0 win.
Otto Greule Jr
As terrible as Martinique must feel, they cannot complain about Panama’s penalty. Sebastien Cretinoir barreled over Jairo Jimenez int he 84th minute, leaving the referee no choice but to blow his whistle. Gabriel Torres stepped to the spot and buried it for his third goal of the tournament and Panama were on their way to a win.
The first 80-plus minutes weren’t nearly as easy for Panama. Martinique’s pace gave them problems and they were on their heels for stretches. Three times Martinique could have had penalties and whie one was a bit hopeful, two were clear but penalties that the referee turned away. Panama did have chances of their own so it isn’t as if they were played off the field, but they weren’t nearly at their best and probably should have been behind.
Martinique’s frustration with the referee continued in the 72nd minute when Jacky Berdix was called for obstruction and shown a yellow card. It was his second of the match so the underdogs were down to 10 men and with their late penalty, Panama took advantage to capture all three points.
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