Panama 0 v 2 Canada: Jonathan David Stunning Goal & Assist Takes Canada to CONCACAF National League Final
Panama 0 v 2 Canada: Jonathan David Stunning Goal & Assist Takes Canada to CONCACAF National League Final
The Canada men’s national team is just one game away from its first trophy in 23 years after advancing to the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final with a 2-0 blanking of Panama in a Thursday semifinal played in Las Vegas.
It was not a sparkling display by Canada, but their quality won out in the end with a goal in each half from their star players. Jonathan David finished expertly through the ‘keeper’s legs in the first half, and Alphonso Davies came off the bench to score a second with 20 minutes remaining.
Canada will play the winner of the other USA vs. Mexico semifinal in Sunday’s championship match. Panama will play the loser in the third-place consolation match.
After qualifying to its first World Cup in 37 years, Canada are looking to end another long drought with a first trophy since winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000.
Canada vs Panama final scoreFinalGoal scorersCanada225′ Jonathan David (Kamal Miller)
70′ Alphonso Davies (Jonathan David)Panama0—
Lineups:
Canada (4-3-3, right to left): 18-Borjan (GK) — 2-Johnston, 5-Vitoria, 4-Miller — 22-Laryea, 8-Kone (Hutchinson 75′), 7-Eustaquio, 3-Adekugbe (19-Davies, 62′) — 11-Buchanan (21-Osorio, 62′), 17-Larin (10-Hoilett, 75′), 20-David
Panama (5-3-2, right to left): 22-Mosquera (GK) — 23-Murillo (15-Davis, 46′), 3-Cummings (7-Welch, 82′), 4-Escobar, 16-Andrade, 2-Blackman — 10-Barcenas (6-C. Martinez, 72′), 20-Godoy, 8-Carrasquilla (21-Yanis, 86′) — 11-Diaz, 18-Waterman (9-Londono, 72′)
How Canada beat Panama in Nations League semifinals
Canada have accustomed fans to scintillating attacking displays over recent months, including at the World Cup, but this time they did the job with a more pragmatic, patient, and mature approach.
The Canadians didn’t generate many shots on target on the night, but they scored on two of their three attempts that hit the frame. Herdman’s men were efficient and they managed the game with personality.
They absorbed the Panamanian pressure for large stretches, but Canada were never on the ropes, always in control of the proceedings. In fact, forcing Panama to come out of their shell made Canada a constant threat in transition.
After Jonathan David put Canada ahead, the camera panned to Herdman on the bench, and he calmly took a seat as if he were confident that his team could make the lead hold up.
“We were facing a really tough country that grinds well,” center-back Steven Vitoria said postgame. “But we brought that side of us, too. We’re experienced, and it wasn’t always pretty, but we were in control for most of the game. I think it was a solid performance and we deserved to
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Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David are the difference for Canada
They are two of the brightest and most valuable stars in European soccer and they showed why against Panama.
With the ball at their feet with only the goalkeeper in front of them, Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies were calm in front of goal and finished with the quality and confidence of players who are playing at the top level.
David threaded the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs, while Davies roofed it from a difficult angle, putting it in the corner where the goalkeeper had no chance at it.
Davies missed the final five matches of the Bundesliga season with Bayern Munich and the Panama match was his first competitive game back from the muscle ailment that shelved him. Yet Herdman decided to bring him off the bench. While a risky move, it proved a brilliant one. With Panama pushing for an equalizer, Phonzie’s pace was the killer blow that helped seal the result, as he was able capitalize on the spaces that opened up in behind the Panama backline. At 2-0, it was game over.
