Suriname and Panama share the spoils in Concacaf qualifiers | OneFootball

Suriname and Panama remain at the top of their group in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, after drawing 1-1 this Tuesday in the fourth round of the final phase of the Concacaf qualifiers. Meanwhile, Jamaica has regained the lead in its group.

Forward Richonell Margaret (21’) opened the scoring for Suriname, while Ismael Díaz (90+6) equalized for the Panamanians in stoppage time, in an intense match held at the Rommel Fernández Stadium in Panama City.

“We missed an opportunity to lead the standings, but we must congratulate the opposing team, which was very solid and brave, came here to play and made things difficult for us,” said Panama’s coach, the Spanish-Danish Thomas Christiansen.

In another match, Guatemala claimed its first victory in this phase against El Salvador, which keeps the Chapines’ dream alive for their first ever World Cup appearance.

With two rounds remaining, Suriname and Panama lead Group A with six points, followed by Guatemala with 5 and El Salvador with 3.

The qualifiers grant three direct spots to the top teams in each group, as well as two playoff spots for the two best second-placed teams.

Suriname will finish its campaign at home against El Salvador on November 13, and then visit Guatemala on the 18th. Panama will face Guatemala away and finish at home against El Salvador.

“We can’t fall into any kind of triumphalism against Panama and Suriname in the last two rounds,” warned Guatemala’s coach, Mexican Luis Fernando Tena.

Suriname holds on

Panama had more possession, but lacked creativity and composure to create dangerous chances with precision, facing an opponent that pressed without hiding and had opportunities on the counterattack.

In the 21st minute, Sheraldo Becker made a precise pass down the right to Tjaronn Chery, who assisted Margaret, who scored alone in front of the goalkeeper.

Becker still had a chance to extend the lead, but the Panamanian goalkeeper saved as best he could. In stoppage time, Panama seemed to wake up from its stupor and created some opportunities to equalize.

In the second half, the script repeated itself: Panama, anxious, desperately tried to create danger through crosses into the area.

Suriname could have extended the lead, but it was Díaz who found the net, after yet another cross, sending the home crowd into ecstasy.

Guatemala resurges

Guatemala, who were at the bottom of the group, earned three important points away from home against El Salvador. As both coaches predicted, it was a hard-fought match, but with few clear chances to score.

The hosts kept possession, but lacked clarity of ideas to break down the opposing defense.

Guatemalan goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen prevented El Salvador from going into halftime with the lead.

In the second half, Óscar Santis, with a right-footed shot just inside the post in the 46th minute, found the net and gave Guatemala the win.

Now, El Salvador depends on a combination of results to avoid elimination.

“We are not to blame for not going to the World Cup,” declared El Salvador’s coach, Colombian Hernán Darío Gómez, after the defeat.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.