The Canadian men’s national team wrapped up its FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign on Wednesday night, losing 1-0 to Panama after already clinching their spot at Qatar on Sunday in Toronto. Nonetheless, results elsewhere in the region ensured that Canada finished the cycle first place in the Concacaf qualification table.
Having officially clinched their spot at the World Cup on Sunday, Canada were comfortable rotating the lineup significantly. Lucas Cavallini replaced Cyle Larin up top alongside Jonathan David, while Mark-Anthony Kaye and Ismaël Koné stepped into midfield (the latter making his first ever start for the national team).
With Panama already eliminated from World Cup contention and Canada still in the glow of Sunday’s massive game at BMO Field, this one was predictably sluggish at the start. Neither side managed to record a shot on goal in the first half, as Canada struggled to get into the attacking third through a high press and the Panamanians worked to break up flow with their physicality.
Hoping to shake things up and give Canada a different look in midfield, coach John Herdman chose to put Jonathan Osorio in at halftime in place of Koné.
Despite the Canadian change, though, it was Panama who finally found a breakthrough after halftime. After some confusion in midfield and a sloppy giveaway from Canada, José Rodríguez came bursting down the left side on the counter-attack. He sent a perfect cross over Kamal Miller to Gabriel Torres, who finished with an excellent first-touch volley to make it 1-0.
Shortly after conceding, Herdman turned to his bench again, adding Cyle Larin and Junior Hoilett to the game. The move nearly paid off instantly; the two combined up the left side and ultimately the ball came across to Jonathan David in front of goal, but the Lille striker couldn’t beat the keeper.
At last, with just 10 minutes left of the 90 to play, Canada made an extended visit to the attacking half. After an intricate piece of passing between Hoilett and Atiba Hutchinson in the left corner, the cross came to the head of Larin who smashed it home to equalize — or so he thought.
The Video Assistant Referee system ultimately determined Larin had been offside, and the goal was disallowed.
So, the score remained 1-0 — as it would for the rest of the game, as Panama held on to hand Canada just its second defeat in World Cup Qualifying this cycle.
Still, due to goal differential and the United States’ loss to Costa Rica, Canada still finished first in the Concacaf table, finishing with a final record of 8-4-2 as the best team in the region. As well, Canada guaranteed that they will be in Pot 4 for the World Cup draw, which will take place this Friday morning.
BOX SCORE
Goals
49′ — Gabriel Torres (Panama)
Discipline
15′ — Yellow: Eric Davis (Panama)
16′ — Yellow: Lucas Cavallini (Canada)
46′ — Yellow: Cristian Martinez (Panama)
57′ — Yellow: Harold Cummings (Panama)
89′ — Yellow: Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama)
90+5′ — Yellow: José Rodríguez (Panama)
