Panama took the lead before an own own goal marked the start of Wednesday’s debacle, a 4-1 victory on their visit to Canada, which took them away from the last direct qualifying spot for world Cup.
“We knew Canada was going to be one of the toughest games because of their strength in attack,” said visibly upset Panama coach Thomas Christiansen. “We have to learn from our mistakes.”
Ronaldo Blackburn put the visitors ahead in just five minutes. Michael Murillo made a wonderful landing on the right wing before giving a cross to the strongest Bolivian striker just to push the ball into the net.
Belgian defender Anderlecht Murillo went from hero to villain in the 28th minute when he scored on his own goal.
And in a 12-minute streak of the add, the hosts condemned the beating at BMO Field in Toronto.
Alphonso Davies scored in the 66th minute, after taking a defender Harold Cummings’ ball over the line to line up the box and beat Mejía. The Panamanian thought the ball was out.
“When we were better in the second half, they put us 2-1 after a lot of devolution,” Christiansen said.
It was Davies’ tenth goal in his 28th game with the Canadian team.
Tajon Buchanan made it 3-1 to 71 and Jonathan David hit the final numbers at 78.
Panama, who came to the game motivated by their home win on Sunday against the United States, ended up suffering a jolt that left them at eight points, still in fourth place, which gives the right to play an intercontinental playoff to obtain travel to Qatar.
“Unfortunately, we see a Panama with one way of playing at home and another on the road. You have to find a balance, ”Christiansen said.
The Spanish-Danish quarterback has hoped the loss will leave a learning curve for the next few matches in the octagonal draw final: a visit to Honduras and a home game against El Salvador.
“You have to know how to manage a defeat like today,” he said. “The players have to assimilate and learn, even me.”
Canada currently holds third place and the direct ticket to the World Cup, with 10 units. Undefeated, with two wins and four draws.
In their next matches, they will host Costa Rica on November 12 and Mexico on November 16.
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