Panama

0 - 2

Men's National Team

Paradise, Nevada | Allegiant Stadium

Aníbal Godoy

90'
Éric Davis

89'
César Yanis
Adalberto Carrasquilla

86'
Jovani Welch
Hárold Cummings

83'
76'

Atiba Hutchinson
Ismaël Koné
76'

David Junior Hoilett
Cyle Larin
Azarías Londoño
Cecilio Waterman

74'
Cristian Martínez
Édgar Bárcenas

74'
70'

Alphonso Davies
69'

Scott Kennedy
Alistair Johnston
Adalberto Carrasquilla

63'
61'

Jonathan Osorio
Tajon Buchanan
61'

Alphonso Davies
Samuel Adekugbe
Eric Davis
Michael Murillo

46'
César Blackman

41'
25'

Jonathan David

Timeline

Panama

KO

KO
25 ' | Jonathan David
41 ' | César Blackman
HT

HT
46 ' | Eric Davis - Michael Murillo
61 ' | Alphonso Davies - Samuel Adekugbe
61 ' | Jonathan Osorio - Tajon Buchanan
63 ' | Adalberto Carrasquilla
69 ' | Scott Kennedy - Alistair Johnston
70 ' | Alphonso Davies
74 ' | Cristian Martínez - Édgar Bárcenas
74 ' | Azarías Londoño - Cecilio Waterman
76 ' | David Junior Hoilett - Cyle Larin
76 ' | Atiba Hutchinson - Ismaël Koné
83 ' | Jovani Welch - Hárold Cummings
86 ' | César Yanis - Adalberto Carrasquilla
89 ' | Éric Davis
90 ' | Aníbal Godoy
FT

FT

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Men's National Team

Match Report

Seventy-nine days had passed since Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team took the pitch to play a competitive game. The time off didn’t stop Canada from defeating Panama 2:0 in the Concacaf League of Nations semifinal match.

Jonathan David’s 25th-minute goal broke the deadlock, rewarding Canada for their first-half attacking pressure. While Panama fought back in the second half, substitute Alphonso Davies electrified Canada with his 70th-minute top-corner strike to extend Canada’s lead to two.

Davies, who wasn’t fit to play 90 minutes tonight, was Canada’s super-sub. Entering the game in the 61st minute, it took Davies less than 10 minutes to get on the scoresheet. The Bayern-Munich defender constantly left Panamanian defenders rooted in the ground, unable to track the 22-year-old. It became a problem for Panama as Davies dominated the left flank and became a persistent goal threat.

David’s opening goal was a product of fine play. It started with defender Kamal Miller who played a splitting pass through Panama’s back line into David’s path. With only one touch, David dinked the ball through the goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera’s legs and watched his shot roll into the net.

Miller was permitted to roam parts of the attacking third, an untraditional characteristic for a backline consisting of three defenders. However, it was this positional leeway that led to his world-class pass from the left flank of the attacking third for Canada’s opening goal.

The added positional freedom is part of a successful tactical scheme designed by head coach John Herdman to encourage more attacking play. It saw Canada control most of the first half and seal out a much more competitive second half.

Canada’s success doesn’t come without captain Milan Borjan’s attentive performance. The veteran goalkeeper made several saves on the night. While some of them were routine, Borjan made two crucial first-half stops to keep Panama off the scoresheet.

One of the best opportunities of the night came in the 58th minute when Cyle Larin converted a stunning cross into a powerful header on goal. His shot was goal-bound until Mosquera reached with a strong right hand to make a last-ditch save.

With the win over Panama, Canada advances to their first final in 23 years. The Concacaf League of Nations final is on Sunday at 20.00 ET against the winner of Mexico vs United States.