MIAMI, Florida – Guatemala rallied from a second half deficit to post a dramatic 3-2 victory over Panama in Group B of League A of the Road to W Gold Cup on Sunday night at the Estadio Universidad Latina in Penonome, Panama.
Ana Martinez was the star with both second half goals for the Chapines, giving her side three points in the group with Panama, who remain ahead in the table based on goal difference.
Guatemala were eager to get off to a good start after falling 3-0 in the two teams’ previous meeting in Guatemala, and the visiting Chapines broke through first in the 17’ through Maria Monterroso, who headed in a cross from Saviana Gomez for a 1-0 Guatemala lead.
The Guatemala goal sparked Panama to life and in a span of two minutes, the Canaleras went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up thanks to goals from Katherine Castillo and Riley Tanner.
The 1-1 equalizer came in the 38’ when Castillo got in underneath the Guatemalan defense and tucked away a right-footed shot. Tanner then gave Panama the 2-1 lead in the 40’ when she latched onto a through pass from Marta Cox and slotted home a left-footed shot.
Guatemala would regroup though and struck back in the 67’ with Martinez evening the score at 2-2 on a right-footed free kick that was able to beat Panama GK Farissa Cordoba.
A sending off in the 84’ for Monterroso gave Panama a late man advantage, but instead it was Guatemala landing the decisive blow, as a counterattack from the visitors ended with Aisha Solorzano finding Martinez, who stroked home the 3-2 winner.
