Panama reach 2023 Gold Cup semifinals with 4-0 win over Qatar
Posted : 09 July 2023
Panama secured a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals with a convincing 4-0 victory over Qatar at AT&T Stadium. Ismael Diaz played a starring role, recording the fastest hat trick in the current tournament and propelling Panama to their first Gold Cup semifinal since 2015.
Panama took the lead in the 19th minute when Edgar Yoel Barcenas headed in a cross from Eric Davis, which beat Qatar goalkeeper Salah Zakaria. They had an opportunity to double their advantage in the 26th minute, but Jose Fajardo's shot narrowly missed the target.
Qatar had a chance to equalize in the 37th minute when Bassam Al-Rawi's header from a corner kick was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. However, it was Panama who extended their lead in the 56th minute when Diaz capitalized on a pass from Adalberto Carrasquilla to score his first goal of the night.
Diaz continued his impressive performance, scoring his second goal in the 63rd minute after receiving a deflected shot from Carrasquilla. Just two minutes later, Diaz completed his hat trick by finishing a move with Fajardo, sealing a commanding 4-0 victory for Panama.
Panama now awaits the outcome of the quarterfinal match between the United States and Canada to determine their next opponent in the semifinals.
Ismael Diaz's outstanding hat trick not only secured Panama's victory but also earned him a place in the Gold Cup record books, surpassing the previous record for the fastest hat trick set by Frantzdy Pierrot from Haiti. Diaz is now just one goal away from equaling Blas Pérez as the top scorer in the tournament's history.
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