Canada vs Panama score, result as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David goals send CanMNT to CONCACAF Nations League final

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Simon Borg
• 14 min read
Alphonso Davies Canada
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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 USA in Sunday's championship match after the Americans brushed off Mexico 3-0. Panama will play Mexico in the third-place consolation match.

After qualifying to their 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.

MORE: What is the CONCACAF Nations League? How does it work?

Canada vs Panama final score

  Final Goal scorers
Canada 2 25' Jonathan David (Kamal Miller)
70' Alphonso Davies (Jonathan David)
Panama 0 —

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')

Canada's first men's final since 2000

Canada continue to show that their surprise run to a top-of-the-table finish in 2022 World Cup qualifying was no fluke.

It's general consensus that John Herdman's Canadian squad deserved better than finishing last in their group at the World Cup in Qatar. But however they might have measured up against teams from other continents, they are definitely a rising power in North America.

Canada were always a better team than Panama on paper, but in the CONCACAF region, hierarchy doesn't guarantee wins. But in locking up the 2-0 semifinal win, Les Rouges showed the personality and poise of a team that belongs among the elite in these parts of the world.

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 expertly.

Canada absorbed the Panamanian pressure for large stretches, but they were never on the ropes and always maintained control of the proceedings. In fact, inviting Panama to come out of their shell allowed Canada to be a constant threat in transition.

After Jonathan David put Canada ahead in the first half, 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 win."

Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David make 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 and only the goalkeeper to beat, 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 to capitalize on the spaces that opened up in behind the Panama backline. At 2-0, it was game over.     

Canada vs Panama live updates, highlights from Nations League semifinal

Final: Canada 2-0 Panama

90th min.: Six minutes of stoppage time. In the meantime, Richie Laryea is down on the ground. But he will continue.

86th min.: Red card Panama! The VAR has signaled to the referee to review a play that saw Panama left-back Eric Davis clock Richie Laryea in the back of the head in a frustration move. Davis got a yellow, but the referee changed it to a red after watching the video. It was an intentional blow to the head.

75th min.: SUBS. Panama bring in two subs for fresh legs at forward and midfield. Meanwhile, Canada bring on veterans Atiba Hutchinson and Junior Hoilett to help seal the victory and a trip to Sunday's final against USA or Mexico.

70th min.: Goal Canada! Alphonso Davies puts away the game. Jonathan David feeds him down the left and Phonzie does it all himself, roofing the ball for the 2-0 lead.

Watch in Canada:

69th min.: SUB Canada. Scott Kennedy is in for Alistair Johnston.

68th min.: Chance Canada! Richie Laryea tees up Jonathan Osorio at the top of the box, but the Toronto FC midfielder misfires badly.

62nd min.: SUBS Canada. Alphonso Davies and Jonathan Osorio are on. Davies replaces Samuel Adekugbe in a like-for-like sub at left wingback.

Osorio will operate more centrally in midfield, and that means right wingback Richie Laryea is going to have to do more attacking down the right flank in Buchanan's absence.

59th min.: Chance Canada! We have a proper highlight! Jonathan David out wide to Tajon Buchanan, who curls in a cross that Cyle Larin heads on goal. But Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera comes up with the spectacular one-handed save.

52nd min.: Chance Panama. Edgar Barcenas whips in a cross from the right that Fidel Escobar heads down and it bounces just wide of the left post. It's the same sleepy pace from the first half.

48th min.: YELLOW card to Panama assistant coach Javier Sanchez Jara. The Panamanians were complaining of an elbow from Cyle Larin that wasn't sanctioned.

46th min.: The second half is underway. A change for Panama as Michael Murillo is out of the game with Cesar Blackman moving from left-back to right-back, with Eric Davis now manning the left-back position.

That was a late sub, according to reports, and Murillo is sulking on the bench. 

Halftime: Canada 1-0 Panama

Halftime: It was a very pragmatic Canada side in the first half that didn't take too many chances, but still found a goal through a sensational pass from left center-back Kamal Miller to feed a piercing run by Jonathan David.

After that, the Canadians were content to absorb the pressure from Panama, while looking to catch the Canaleros in transition. The long balls from the Canadian center-backs are causing Panama problems.

Panama are still very much in this match and they had their chances to score. The second half will be interesting, including whether Alphonso Davies comes into the match to take advantage of the space in behind.

46th min.: Chance Canada! Richie Laryea goes on a dribbling run and feeds Tajon Buchanan to his right, but his pass is blocked and the chance is foiled. Canada should have done better with that. Buchanan has been quiet in this first half.

45th min.: Three minutes of stoppage time.

41st min.: YELLOW card for Cesar Blackman, who pulls back Jonathan David, who was getting ready to run at goal from midfield. That's an obvious caution, but a good one as far as Panama are concerned.

39th min.: Canada have taken the sting out of the game after those two Panama chances and they're managing the lead, milking the clock in the process.

29th min.: Chance Panama! Another look for the Canaleros. Fidel Escobar fires a free kick at goal and the Canada 'keeper allows a rebound, but Cecilio Waterman can't get to it. Close call for Canada.

27th min.: Chance Panama! Ismael Diaz lets fly and Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan is called into action.

25th min.: Goal Canada! What a through ball from Kamal Miller to Jonathan David who slots it between the Panama goalkeeper's legs for the opening goal. That's David's 25th goal for Canada.

Watch in Canada:

24th min.: Panama playing physical. Cyle Larin went down on a tough challenge and moments later Edgar Barcenas hacks down Ismael Kone.

20th min.: Injury stoppage. Samuel Adekugbe is down and needs treatment. We'll see if Canada's left wingback can stay in the game.

16th min.: Outside of a couple of Canada set pieces, the teams have cancelled each other out. Panamanian forward Ismael Diaz is operating wide left, and Edgar Barcenas and/or Adalberto Carrasquilla are joining the attack from midfield when the opportunity presents itself.

7th min.: Canada chance! Left wingback Samuel Adekugbe got in behind Panama's backline to latch onto a beautiful long ball from Steven Vitoria, but Adekugbe muffs his shot. The offside flag went up, but that was a warning from Canada.

5th min.: It's been an even start to this semifinal. Panama have possessed the ball and pushed into the attack, looking for their forwards. Cecilio Waterman is going to be busy tonight, clashing bodies with Canada's defenders.

1st min.: Panama kick us off. Panama will be in red, with Canada in white.

3 mins to KO: Anthem time. Kickoff is moments away.

15 mins to KO: The scene at Allegiant Stadium ahead of kickoff.

1 hour, 30 mins to KO: There were many who began to believe Canada could make a serious push for the 2022 World Cup when they hammered Panama 4-1 in Toronto.

Canada vs Panama lineups

We might be seeing 40-year-old Canadian legend Atiba Hutchinson, who announced his retirement from club football, lace them up for the final time for the national team at this Nations League tournament. His teammates will want to send him out on a high, preferably by hoisting a trophy.

After a muscle issue kept him out of Bayern Munich's last five Bundesliga matches, Canada star Alphonso Davies starts on the bench. The only injury issue on the team saw central defender Derek Cornelius (hamstring) replaced in the squad by Moise Bombito.

Canada lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 18-Milan Borjan (GK) — 2-Alistair Johnston, 5-Steven Vitoria, 4-Kamal Miller — 22-Richie Laryea, 8-Ismael Kone, 7-Stephen Eustaquio, 3-Samuel Adekugbe — 11-Tajon Buchanan, 17-Cyle Larin, 20-Jonathan David

Canada subs (12): 16-Tom McGill (GK), 1-Dayne St. Clair (GK), 14-Moise Bombito, 23-Scott Kennedy, 6-Dominick Zator, 13-Atiba Hutchinson, 12-Victor Loturi, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 15-David Wotherspoon, 19-Alphonso Davies, 9-Lucas Cavallini, 10-Junior Hoilett

Panama, who have been in camp for six more days than Canada, will be without two of their best players — Alberto Quintero and Jose Fajardo — with both starters picking up cards in their last Nations League group stage match, leading to automatic suspension for this semifinal.

Panama manager Thomas Christiansen is fielding a 5-3-2 formation with the goal of stopping Canada's dangerous wing play. The goalkeeper backstopping that formation will be Orlando Mosquera (10 caps), who won out over Luis Mejia (48 career caps). It's right-back Cesar Blackman who will be manning the left-back position in this one.

Panama lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 22-Orlando 'Kuty' Mosquera (GK) — 23-Michael Murillo, 3-Harold Cummings, 4-Fidel Escobar, 16-Andres Andrade, 2-Cesar Blackman — 10-Edgar Barcenas, 20-Anibal Godoy, 8-Adalberto Carrasquilla — 11-Ismael Diaz, 18-Cecilio Waterman

Panama subs (10): 1-Luis Mejia (GK), 12-Cesar Samudio (GK), 14-Eduardo Anderson, 15-Eric Davis, 5-Roderick Miller, 13-Freddy Gondola, 6-Cristian Martinez, 7-Jovani Welch, 9-Azarias Londono, 21-Cesar Yanis

Canada vs Panama live stream, TV channel

The match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It will be followed by the other Nations League semifinal pitting the USA against Mexico.

 Region TV channel Streaming
USA CBS Sports Network,
Univision,
TUDN		 Fubo, Paramount+
Canada Telus (Ch. 980) Fubo, OneSoccer.ca

USA: The Canada vs. Panama match will be televised in the USA on Univision and TUDN (Spanish) and on CBS Sports Network (English). All three channels will be streaming on Fubo, available to new users on a free trial.

An English-language stream will also be available for subscribers of Paramount+.

Canada: The semifinal will be carried by OneSoccer, which is carried by Telus (Channel 980) and streamed by Fubo Canada.

Author(s)
Author Photo
Simon Borg
Simon Borg is a senior editor for football/soccer at The Sporting News.
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