Panama beat Paraguay to secure final place at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
The prize for Panama's narrow 1-0 victory in the Intercontinental Playoffs in New Zealand is the 32nd and final spot at this year’s World Cup which takes place in July and August. Victory also means Panama will compete in the first World Cup in their history.
Football
Panama have secured their place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Intercontinental Playoffs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The Central Americans had to wait until the 75th minute to break the deadlock, as half-time substitute Lineth Cedeno met a Marta Cox free-kick with a strong header that gave Panama a lead they would never relinquish.
The victory makes Panama the final team to qualify for this year’s World Cup that takes place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
Panama qualify for Women's World Cup for first time in history
In the end, the victory was a close one, but the manner of the win won’t matter to Panama’s players who have achieved their country’s first-ever qualification for a FIFA Women’s World Cup.
They now join France, Jamaica and Brazil in Group F of this year’s tournament after becoming the last of the 32 teams to qualify.
Both Panama and Paraguay had their chances in a close encounter, with Jess Martinez producing Paraguay’s best opportunity of the game with a fierce first-half free-kick that Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey just managed to keep out of the net.
But when the final whistle rang, it was Panama who were celebrating victory, as the entire bench ran onto the pitch to mark the greatest win in their country’s history.
Panama’s Riley Tanner summed up the mood in the camp at the final whistle, saying: "This is a dream come true. It was definitely a grind out there for us today. But Paraguay are a really good team, so we never thought we'd find it easy to play our football. All that mattered in this match was winning, qualifying, and we're just so happy that we've done that. This whole experience has been amazing."
Groups now decided as Portugal, Haiti and Panama secure final three places for Women’s World Cup
Haiti and Portugal were the first teams to qualify for the World Cup at the Intercontinental Playoff tournament, after both registered 2-1 victories on Wednesday 22 February.
The Haitians will join European champions England, Denmark and People’s Republic of China in Group D, while Portugal enter Group E where they will face four-time World Cup champions USA, Vietnam and Netherlands.
Panama who will compete in Group F, are one of seven teams making their debut at the World Cup alongside Philippines, Vietnam, Morocco, Zambia, Haiti, Portugal and Republic of Ireland.
Panama’s first Group F match takes place against Brazil on 23 July with their final group game scheduled for 2 August against France.