Panama’s women’s national team came from behind to defeat Aruba 3-1 on Thursday in the third round of Group E of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, which they lead with 9 points out of a possible 9, and are one round away from sealing their passage to the quarterfinals.
The qualifying tournament crowns the leaders of the six competing groups, who then join the United States and Canada in the next stage for four direct places to the World Cup. Group E’s activity will conclude next Friday, when the Panamanian team will play for qualification against the Cuban team, who are in second place with 7 points. Aruba surprised everyone with a goal in the 5th minute from Vanessa Susanna, who took advantage of the fact that she left goalkeeper Farissa Córdoba without a chance to react.
The home team equalized in the 16th minute. Sherly King won on the right and sent in a cross that Riley Tanner capitalized on unmarked. The 2-1 came in the 29th minute after a corner kick taken by King that Arlén Hernández headed into the back of the net. The second half offered few clear scoring opportunities for either team, with a more contested affair in midfield. Just as Aruba was showing its best offensive form, Panama managed to extend its lead. In the 73rd minute, Karla Riley converted a penalty after a foul committed on Riley Tanner a minute earlier.
