Roman Torres (pictured) scored in the 90th minute to help host Panama to a 2-2 draw with Honduras on June 13, 2017, in Panama City, Panama. (Photo: Mexsport)
PANAMA CITY, Panama – A goal by Roman Torres in the 90th minute gave Panama (1W-4D-1L, 7 points) a 2-2 draw with visiting Honduras (1-2D-3L, 5 points) in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
The result keeps both sides in the same position in which they started the night, with the Panamanians in fourth place and Honduras in fifth. Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States occupy first through third, respectively.
Honduras took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute, when Romell Quioto’s shot from a tight angle at the left post went off goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and over the line. Penedo had made a tremendous diving save off an initial effort, but Quioto was there for the rebound.
The host leveled in the 41st minute as Blas Perez somehow contorted his body to direct with his left shoulder Michael Murillio’s right-sided cross into the upper-right corner of the net.
In the 66th minute, Honduras regained the lead through Alberth Elis, who fired in from 12-yards out off a feed from the right by Rony Martinez.
With normal time elapsing, Torres struck for the dramatic equalizer. The Seattle Sounders defender -- while slipping -- slotted past goalkeeper Donis Escober from 14-yards out thanks to a neat assist from Anibal Godoy.
