GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - The United States and Panama have qualified for the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania after posting wins in their respective quarterfinals on Friday at the 2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship at the Domo Polideportivo de la CDAG in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
The day started with the United States taking on the Dominican Republic and a Raphael Araujo goal gave the U.S. an early 1-0 lead that they held until halftime.
The Caribbean side looked to answer, but they were unable to breach a very solid U.S. defense. A Tomas Pondeca goal in the second half added some insurance and allowed the U.S. to close things out to clinch a World Cup berth and a place in Saturday’s semifinals.
It is the sixth time that the U.S. will play in the FIFA Futsal World Cup and is their first since 2008.
What a goal!
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 7, 2021
🇺🇸 @USMNT scores the opener! | #CFC21 pic.twitter.com/QHFw3vTrJr
Panama will be playing in a third consecutive FIFA Futsal World Cup after edging Canada in a penalty shootout, 4-3, following a 1-1 draw between the teams.
Abdiel Ortiz gave the Canaleros a 1-0 lead, only to see Ian Bennett answer for the Canadians to make it 1-1. That scoreline would hold for the entire second half and eventually lead to a shootout in which Panama emerged victorious.
Panama will face the U.S. in the first semifinal on Saturday.