TORONTO, ON – What a second half for Canada. They took control of the game and have now leapfrogged Panama for the third spot in the Octagonal World Cup qualifying.
Alphonso Davies the star of the show in big CanMNT home win
Full Game Summary:#CanMNT was the better team with most of the scoring chances.
Alphonso Davies's goal in the second half was the turning point in the game. #PanamáMayor only had two shots on goal. #CANvPAN | 4-1 | #CWCQ2022
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 14, 2021
First half
Canada dominated most of the game in the first half. However, it was Panama who scored in the fifth minute to give the team the early lead.
28' #CanMNT strikes back! Alphonso Davies with terrific corner results in an own goal by #PanamáMayor's Rolando Blackburn.#CANvPAN | 1-1 | #CWCQ2022 pic.twitter.com/A8na2CdLMr
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 14, 2021
Then in the 25-minute, a good defensive play by Panama’s Eric Davis prevented a Tajon Buchanan cross. Buchanan then got a free kick in the 27-minute. Canada got a lot of corners. It ended up with Canada putting the ball into the back of the net. Canada should have gotten a penalty as Davies was fouled inside the box. However, the call was not made. In the 36-minute, David Wotherspoon got a special pass from Stephen Eustáquio but his shot was off-target. However, Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejía was quick and just won the footrace with Alphonso Davies.
Second half
Canada started the second half well. Another penalty shout took place in the 48-minute. There was also some good defending from Panama’s Harold Cummings. David Wotherspoon’s terrific shot in the 49-minute almost went into the back of the net. Jonathan David in the 50-minute did not get a touch on a Buchanan pass. There was a turnover in the 55-minute by Panama and Canada did not take advantage. Panama made a vital interception in the 57-minute. Panama had a good spell of possession so they looked more threatening until Davies took over.
66’ What an incredible play, run and shot by Alphonso Davies to give the #CanMNT the lead!#CANvPAN | 2-1 | #CWCQ2022pic.twitter.com/sFWd7SSY92
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 14, 2021
Alphonso Davies made a terrific individual play to pick off Cummings and passed a Panama player to score the goal. This goal was a game-changer for Canada. They would end up scoring two more goals. The first one was Tajon Buchanan’s goal, which was scored thanks to a fantastic header. Richie Laryea played a role in that goal with his brilliant cross. Then in the 78-minute, Canada put the game to bed thanks to David’s goal. Laryea in the 90+4-minute almost scored a goal.
Both teams will play their next game in November. The CanMNT will play two games in Edmonton, Alberta at Commonwealth Stadium against Costa Rica and Mexico. This is while Panama will play in Honduras before hosting El Salvador in November.
Three Takeaways from the game including Alphonso Davies:
78’ #CanMNT has taken control of the second half! Alphonso Davies with a terrific cross and Jonathan David puts the ball in the back of the net!#CanvPAN | 4-1 | #CWCQ2022pic.twitter.com/9VJmJwI7ft
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 14, 2021
The CanMNT leapfrogs Panama for third in the Octagon. Canada now has seven points in three games at BMO Field. They also have the second-best goal differential and are one of the only two unbeaten teams in World Cup qualifying.
Panama had only two shots on goal. They did score the first goal of the game. However, they only had two shots on goal. Even when they played well in parts of the second half, they did not get any real chances to score.
Alphonso Davies’s goal changed the game. Panama was playing their best soccer of the entire game before Davies’s goal. Davies used his incredible ability to keep the ball in play. He then ran down Panama’s box, beat the goalkeeper, and put the ball into the back of the net. He also played a critical role in David’s goal, who shot the ball into the back of the net.
