Ismael Diaz posted a hat trick in the final match of Group C play as Panama completed its sweep of the group with a 4-1 victory over Jamaica on Tuesday in Austin, Texas.
Diaz had two goals in 17 minutes before Amari’i Bell answered for Jamaica. But Diaz completed the hat trick by sending a penalty kick past Andre Blake, who dove the wrong way, into the bottom right corner of the net in the 45th minute.
Tomas Rodriguez added a goal in the 89th for Panama (3-0-0, 9 points), which joined the United States in Group D as the only teams to go 3-for-3 in the group stage. Advancing with Panama will be Guatemala, which defeated Guadeloupe to take second place in Group C.
Jamaica (1-2-0, 3 points) will be disappointed to head home early after reaching the Gold Cup semifinals in 2023.
Diaz had his first goal in the fourth minute after unleashing a long left-footed shot that deflected off a defender’s leg and elevated past Blake. He doubled the margin with a low shot from the left side of the 6-yard box.
Orlando Mosquera made four saves for Panama while Blake did not record a save.
–Field Level Media
