Honduras beat Panama on penalties to enter Gold Cup semis

Carlos Pineda converted the decisive penalty as Honduras edged Panama 5-4 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night.

The win sends Honduras to their first Gold Cup semifinal since 2013, where they will face the winner of Saudi Arabia vs Mexico in Santa Clara, California, on Wednesday.



Panama took a deserved lead late in the first half after dominating possession. Cristian Martinez drew a penalty in the 44th minute when he was fouled by Edwin Rodríguez. Ismael Daaz calmly slotted home from the spot for his sixth goal of the tournament - a new single - Gold Cup record for a Panamanian player.


Honduras struggled for much of the match but grew into the contest late. In the 82nd minute, Anthony Lozano redirected a Carlos Pineda shot into the net off a corner to level the score.


In the penalty shootout, both teams converted four of their first five kicks. Honduras had a chance to win with their fifth, but Lozano was denied by a brilliant diving save from Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

However, Panama's Eduardo Guerrero missed the next shot, skying it over the bar, allowing Pineda to seal the victory with a low finish into the bottom left corner.

It marked the first-ever Gold Cup knockout meeting between the two nations. Panama, a three-time runner-up, had topped Group C, while Honduras advanced as Group B runner-up after rebounding from a 6-0 loss to Canada with wins over Curacao and El Salvador.