GUATEMALA CITY –
Winger Óscar Santiz scored from a free kick as Guatemala rescued a 1-1 draw against Panama on Sunday in the second day of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Santiz took a powerful shot that declared equality in the 71st minute, taking a point from the visitor who opened the scoring with a penalty goal from his center back Erick Davis in the 7th minute.
Both were left with four points in Group A, escorting Trinidad and Tobago, which added its second victory on the day by defeating El Salvador 3-2. The Panamanians have a better goal difference than the Guatemalans, so for now they secure second place.
Panama had just beaten Martinique 3-0, while Guatemala did the same at home over El Salvador 2-0.
Panama opened the scoring with the penalty after a foul by defender José Ardor against José Fajardo inside the area. The Canal team could have increased the score, but their striker Ismael Díaz was erratic for a good part of the game.
Guatemala generated its clearest opportunity in the complement with a free kick by Santiz that was cleared by the Panamanian goalkeeper.
In another key match, El Salvador suffered its second setback and complicated its aspirations. Eriq Zavaleta opened the scoring in the 17th minute, but Ryan Telfer equalized in the 22nd. Trinidad went ahead with Malcolm Shaw’s penalty goal in the 51st, but the local team equalized again with Brayan Gil Hurtado’s score in the 53rd. Justin Julian Garcia scored the final goal for the Caribbean in the 71st minute. Trinidad and Tobago had just beaten Curacao 1-0 on the first day. Martinique, for its part, bounced back on Sunday by beating Curacao 1-0.
Guatemala and Panama will visit Trinidad and Curacao, respectively, for the third round of the Nations League on October 13. Actions for the second round in Group B, which is led by Jamaica with three points, resume on Monday.
The first two of the two groups in the round advance to the quarterfinals, where Canada, Costa Rica, the United States and Mexico await. The tournament will qualify six teams from the area to the 2024 Copa América.
2023-09-11 15:34:41
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