MIAMI, Florida – League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League continued on Friday with Panama, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago all collecting pivotal wins.

Curacao vs. Panama

Things in Group A got started at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao where visitors Panama topped Curacao 2-1.

Panama are now in second place with seven points, while Curacao have officially been relegated to League B with their third defeat.

Edgar Barcenas of Panama opened the scoring in the 29’ on a play that was crafted by MF Adalberto Carrasquilla, who lofted an inch-perfect pass to the running Cristian Martinez and the cutback pass hit Barcenas in stride, making for an easy sweep into net for a 1-0 lead.

Panama doubled their advantage in the second half in the 77’ through Jose Rodriguez, who took a cross from Barcenas and headed into net to make it 2-0.

Curacao would get on the scoreboard in the waning moments of second half stoppage time, with Rangelo Janga providing the 2-1 consolation score via header.

Martinique vs. El Salvador

Martinique made a strong move up the table thanks to a 1-0 victory over El Salvador at the Stade Municipal Pierre-Aliker in Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Martinique now have six points and sit in third place, while El Salvador suffered their third defeat and have been officially relegated to League B.

Just like they did in their Gold Cup group stage meeting over the summer, Martinique struck first in the first half and took a 1-0 lead in the 23’.

It was a well-crafted goal from Les Matinino, who worked the ball up the field, switching sides before a cross from the right wing by Damien Dussaut hit the cutting Johnny Marajo, whose right-footed shot beat El Salvador GK Mario Gonzalez to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Martinique then had a great chance at doubling their lead in the 73’ when Brighton Labeau hauled in a pass deep in the area and used an exquisite first touch to have an open look at goal, only to see his shot sail wide.

El Salvador had one final chance in second stoppage time through Mayer Gil, but his shot rang off the post and rolled wide in front of goal, sealing the three points for Martinique.

Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guatemala

The day in Group A then concluded with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory for Trinidad and Tobago against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago remain in first place with nine points, while Guatemala remain in fourth-place with four points.

It was a dream start for Guatemala, as Rubio Rubin struck for the opener in the 12’ by touching home a shot right in front of goal off a pass from Nathaniel Mendez for a 1-0 Guatemala lead.

Guatemala doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 32’ when an initial attempt from Oscar Santis was blocked by a defender, but Santis’ follow-up attempt was smashed off the post and in for the goal.

But Trinidad and Tobago would respond and pulled back to within a goal at 2-1 in the 35’ when Alvin Jones converted a penalty after Noah Powder had been fouled in the area two minutes prior.

Trinidad and Tobago kept the pressure on, and they got level in the 54’ when a Neveal Hackshaw header was saved by Guatemala GK Nicholas Hagen, but Reon Moore was there to hammer home the rebound to make it 2-2.

Play remained wide open going into the final half-hour, with Guatemala nearly retaking a lead in the 70’ on a Jose Pinto header that hit the crossbar and dropped onto the goal-line before being cleared.

The final says, though, belonged to Trinidad and Tobago, as Nathaniel James, who had come off the bench to score a late winner on matchday 1 against Curacao, did it again, this time firing in a free kick in the 89’ to deliver the 3-2 victory.