PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama got second half goals from Ismael Diaz and Cecilio Waterman to claim a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in the opening match of Group B of League A of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League on Thursday night at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama.

While the first half did not yield any goals, there was plenty of action, beginning with Costa Rica’s Juan Pablo Vargas hammering a shot off the crossbar in the 3’.

Panama mustered plenty of scoring chances themselves, beginning with a bouncing shot from Diaz in the 15’ that was handled by Costa Rica GK Leonel Moreira.

The Canaleros also had a shot ring off the crossbar, as Eric Davis nearly curled in a shot from a corner kick in first half stoppage time, only to see it strike the woodwork of Moreira’s goal.

The second half started in breathless fashion, beginning with Costa Rica FW Anthony Contreras narrowly missing wide with a right-footed shot in the 51’.

A minute later, the deadlock was broken by Panama when Alberto Quintero played a cutback pass to Diaz, who fired in a right-footed half-volley for a 1-0 Panama advantage.

Panama were not content with just one goal and nearly tacked on a second score in the 71’ when Freddy Gondola was all alone at the back post, but wasn’t able to guide home his effort.

Five minutes later in the 76’, the insurance goal was secured when Costa Rica failed to clear a corner kick, and a hard hit from Diaz was redirected in by Waterman to deliver the 2-0 final scoreline.