Looking to make it three wins from three to progress out of the Gold Cup group stage, Panama take on El Salvador this week at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston.
Key Takeaways
- Panama are hoping to go all the way in this year’s competition and have won back-to-back games to kick off their Gold Cup campaign
- El Salvador are in poor form heading into the match and have failed to win in any of their last ten
- Jose Fajardo has led the line superbly for Los Canaleros and will look to add a third goal in as many games in this one.
Panama are on track to reach the knockout stage of the Gold Cup for the first time since 2019 after making a 100% start to the tournament this time around. El Salvador need to find victory from somewhere to be in with a chance of qualifying past the groups after failing to win any of their two openers.
Panama Form
Thomas Christiansen’s side suffered defeat in both of their June fixtures in Nations League play prior to beginning their 2023 Gold Cup campaign. That started with a 2-0 loss against Canada in the semi-final of the CONCACAF Nations League before losing 1-0 against Mexico in the third-place play-off.
However, they found victory in both of their opening Gold Cup fixtures, kicking off the competition with a 2-1 triumph over Costa Rica. Los Canaleros replicated that scoreline in the match after when they defeated Martinique in order to secure their qualification into the quarter-finals.
Panama should feel confident about progressing far in the competition and could be in with a chance of at least making the final, like they did for their best ever runners-up finishes back in 2005 and 2013. They only need a draw here to secure top spot in Group C.
El Salvador Form
La Selecta have been on an abject run of form now for some time and are without a victory in any of their previous ten fixtures across all competitions. A 6-0 hammering against Japan last month wasn’t the best preparation for the Gold Cup but El Salvador should have taken confidence in their 1-1 draw with South Korea.
Nevertheless, it has not been the start to the tournament that head coach Hugo Pérez would have wanted since they have not yet found three points from their first two matches. That started with a 2-1 loss against ten-men Martinique, who had to play with a man down for most of the second half too. A point in a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica has given them hope of making it into the knockouts but only if the result between Martinique and Costa Rica goes their way.
Head-to-Head
El Salvador will be hoping for a similar outcome as their most recent clash with Panama since they recorded a 3-2 win in a friendly match back in May of last year. Recent history would favour La Selecta since they have won two of the last three meetings but, looking at the bigger picture, Panama have won four out of the last six matches between the two sides.
Team News
Christiansen made just one change to his line-up that defeated Costa Rica as Ismael Diaz dropped to the bench in place of 35-year-old Alberto Quintero. The veteran picked up his 132nd cap against Martinique and is one of the most experienced players to have played for the Panama national team.
The ever present Anibal Godoy will likely continue in the middle of midfield for Los Canaleros, whilst Harold Cummings will be looking for his 89th cap as he sits at the heart of defence.
A goalkeeper change was in order for head coach Perez as he dropped Tomas Romero after El Salvador's opening defeat against Martinique, bringing in Mario Gonzalez. 19-year-old Harold Osorio was also left out after starting the first match to make way for Josh Perez.
Midfielders Narciso Orellana and Jairo Henriquez started the Costa Rica match-up, with Kevin Reyes Ortiz and Christian Martinez being left out. More changes could be in order here since El Salvador need goals in the team.
Key Players
Fajardo has made a fantastic start to his Gold Cup campaign and has managed to score in both fixtures thus far, taking his total tally for Panama now to seven. He will be the danger man for the Central American outfit. Michael Murillo is also in good form and has a goal and an assist to his name through the first two matches.
Bryan Tamacas has scored El Salvador’s lone goal at the tournament so far and that was from the penalty spot late on against Martinique. Jairo Henriquez had missed a penalty himself earlier on in that match. They are desperately missing some firepower and will be without forward Nelson Bonilla once more who has managed to score 19 goals in total for his country.
How to watch on TV or Online
Fans in the UK can watch the Gold Cup action between Panama and El Salvador live on Viaplay Sports 2.
Final Thoughts
Panama will want to secure top spot in Group C and so will likely field a strong side once more, whilst an El Salvador side devoid of any sort of confidence are unlikely to stop Christiansen’s side from taking all three points.
Gold Cup