Panama is the surprise of the Copa America and writes its own destiny

Panama’s Cristian Martinez laid the ball exactly where Jose Fajardo would be most dangerous. All the striker needed was a clever touch and a quick turn to effortlessly smash the ball past the Bolivian keeper, bringing 12,933 fans in Orlando to their feet.

“The goal gave me confidence,” Fajardo said. It gave him “more certainty.”

It also gave Panama the opening goal against Bolivia, setting the tone for what would be a thrilling performance from the Central Americans. With an eventual 3-1 victory over Bolivia, Panama had stamped their ticket to the knockout rounds of a Copa America for the first time.

It was a historic night for Panama, one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The victory also ended the United States’ hopes of making another deep run in the Copa America. Instead, thanks to Panama’s victory and a 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Monday, the host nation has now exited the competition.

It didn’t matter that this historic achievement was witnessed by one of the smallest crowds at this summer’s Copa America, as fans filled the stadium with chants of “Panama! Panama!” and “Ole! Ole! Ole!” as they carried their euphoric nation with them.

This is only the second time that Panama has participated in the traditionally South American competition, having made their debut in 2016. That year, they failed to advance beyond the group stage. Panama and Canada are still the only CONCACAF countries to have qualified for the quarterfinals. Costa Rica, which has little chance of advancing, will find out their fate on Tuesday night.

Panama’s Eduardo Guerrero celebrates his team’s victory during the final (Eliecer Aizprua Banfield/Jam Media/Getty Images)

For Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen, his team’s surprising run is exactly what he had hoped for.

“When we were going to the United States, I said I wanted to be the surprise (of the tournament), like Morocco at the (2022) World Cup (which reached the semi-finals),” he told reporters. “Well, now at least we’re through to the next round. I’m happy. Super happy.”

Christiansen took over the national team’s reins in July 2020, replacing Argentine manager Americo Gallego amid a restructuring of Panamanian football. The Dane has repeatedly told reporters that this successful run at the tournament so far reflects the progress Panama has made in those four years.

“It’s consistent, really, what we’ve done, what we’ve harvested in these almost four years,” Christiansen said. “(Is it) coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidence. You have to work for it. You have to fight for it. Luck alone is not enough.”

That Panama’s victory came at the Inter&Co Stadium, sending the Americans out of the Copa America, was perhaps just that: a bittersweet, ironic coincidence.

After all, this was the same pitch where Panama’s campaign to reach the World Cup in Qatar ended after a 5-1 defeat to the US in March 2022. At the time, an emotional Christiansen left the pitch, vowing to remain at the helm of his team. On Monday night, the tables were turned.

Panama head coach Christiansen saw his team bury the ghosts of the past in Orlando (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Panama’s strength is clearly visible in the group stage. Despite losing 3-1 to Uruguay in their opening match, Panama are still the only team to have scored against the tournament favorite. The team’s success has not been lost on the players.

Monday’s victory “is the result of the hard work we’ve been doing for a while,” Martinez said. “I think that was reflected in the tournament today. I’m happy with the story we’re writing and that we made it to the quarterfinals.”

Martinez’s assist to Fajardo was the spark Panama needed against Bolivia, the team that has conceded the most goals in the competition (10). Although the South Americans did not make it easy for Panama, with Bruno Miranda equalizing in the 69th minute, Bolivia only managed to keep the score level for 10 minutes.

Christiansen’s decision to enter the match with fresh legs paid off. Both of Panama’s remaining goals came from players who had recently come on. Eduardo Guerrero scored a diving header just five minutes after coming on, and Cesar Yanis sealed Panama’s victory in the 91st minute, just seconds after coming on.

“It’s true, we are the surprise of the tournament,” Panama defender Cesar Blackman said after the victory. “Nobody expected it. We were able to win that game against the United States. Now we were able to respond well against Bolivia. We knocked out one of the giants.”

“We are very happy. The team is happy,” he continued. “I think all of Panama is happy with us and, well, now we have to look at the quarterfinals.”

That match will likely feature another powerhouse of the tournament: either Colombia or Brazil.

“We know it’s going to be a very difficult match,” Blackman said. “But we came to this Copa America to compete and to continue making history.”

(Top photo: Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images)