Panama rally for 2-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup win over Nicaragua

Washington (AFP) – Panama hit back with two goals in seven minutes Wednesday to beat Nicaragua in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B action in Tampa, Florida.

Nicaragua scored first, but Panama answered quickly to seize three points in Group B, which saw the United States and Martinique playing later Wednesday at the same venue.

After a scoreless first half, Nicaragua seized the lead in the 49th minute when Carlos Chavarria hit a right-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner of the goal.

Just a minute later, Panama’s Ismael Diaz knotted the score with a left-footed effort from the center of the area.

Panama seized the lead in the 57th with a goal from Gabriel Torres in the center of the area.

In the second game of the day’s double-header at Raymond James Stadium, the United States were aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Panama in their opening match in the regional championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean.