CLEVELAND, Ohio.- Panama defeated Guyana by a score of 4-2 in 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Group D action at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on Saturday night.
After a first quarter-hour that saw plenty of end-to-end action, Panama broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, Abdiel Arroyo receiving a long pass from Michael Murillo and cutting past Guyana GK Akel Clarke before slotting home.
Sixteen minutes later came a moment of Gold Cup history, as a penalty kick was awarded to Guyana. Neil Danns stepped up to take and sent Panama GK Luis Mejia the wrong way, finishing down to the left with authority for the first ever major tournament goal for Guyana.
The jubilation was short-lived. In the 40th minute, Guyana DF Terence Vancooten got wrong-footed on a cross and turned the ball into his own net to give Panama a 2-1 lead.
Shortly after the restart, Panama were awarded a penalty, with Eric Davis putting the second attempt home for a 3-1 lead.
Gabriel Torres then added a late headed goal to make it 4-1 in the 86th minute.
A second penalty was awarded to Guyana in the dying moments of the match, Danns scoring his second with literally the last kick of the ball for the 4-2 final.
