Entering their final matchday of the 2024 Copa America, Panama need a result and some help to move into the knockout stage for the first time when they face Bolivia on Monday at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando.
A 5-0 defeat versus Uruguay this week has dropped the Bolivians to the bottom of the Group C standings without a single point, while Los Canaleros defeated the United States 2-1 and are narrowly behind them for second on goal difference.
Match preview
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The hope of making the knockout stage is not officially over, but something special will have to transpire on Monday for Bolivia to stay alive.
They need a victory, and Antonio Carlos Zago's men also need Uruguay to defeat the US and have at least a seven-goal swing fall their way.
That feels like a long shot, given that the Bolivians are currently on a 13-match losing run in Copa America group fixtures dating back to 2015.
Over that lengthy losing spell, La Verde have struggled to find the back of the net, going goalless in six Copa America group contests during their current slump.
If they fail to find the back of the net in this match, it would mark the first time since the 2001 Copa America that Bolivia conclude the group phase without scoring a goal.
This side have not beaten a CONCACAF opponent since a 2022 friendly against Trinidad and Tobago (5-0 win), with La Verde losing three consecutive matches against that region.
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In a rather heated and chippy affair on Thursday, the Panamanians were able to overcome an early setback and claim their first victory at the Copa America this year.
Statistically, they were full marks for their matchday two triumph, accumulating 74% of the possession, the most by any CONCACAF side at this tournament since Opta began collecting such data in 2011.
That victory ended a two-match losing run for Thomas Christiansen's men across all competitions, giving them a realistic shot at making the knockout phase.
Their matchday two triumph was the first time they came back to win despite conceding the opening goal since a 3-2 victory over Nicaragua in June 2023.
However, Panama may need some help from Uruguay if they are to advance, as Los Canaleros have a -1-goal differential, while the US are at +1, so they will need a better result than the hosts on Monday.
Monday will be the seventh all-time meeting between themselves and Bolivia, with La Marea Roja winning four consecutive games against them, including their only previous match at this tournament in 2016 (2-1).
Team News
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Six changes were made to the Bolivian lineup on matchday two, with Hector Cuellar, Yomar Rocha, Boris Cespedes, Miguel Terceros, Carmelo Algaranaz, and Ramiro Vaca all entering the starting 11.
Adalid Terrazas collected his first international cap on Thursday, replacing Algaranaz with fewer than 10 minutes remaining, making reserve goalkeeper Gustavo Almada the only uncapped player of those selected to the Los Verde squad for this tournament.
Panama will be without their top chance creator in Adalberto Carrasquilla, who was justifiably red-carded for a reckless challenge on American Christian Pulisic this week.
Cesar Blackman scored three minutes after the US had taken the lead on Thursday, his first for the national team, while Jose Fajardo notched the winner in the latter stages, giving him a dozen all-time as a member of Los Canaleros.
Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Almada; Cuellar, Haquin, Jo. Sagredo; Suarez, Justiniano, Villamil, Je. Sagredo; Terceros, Ramallo, Vaca
Panama possible starting lineup:
Mosquera; I. Anderson, Miller, Cordoba; Murillo, Ayarza, Martinez, Davis; Yanis, Fajardo, Diaz
We say: Bolivia 0-1 Panama
Being without Carrasquilla will not make it easy, but we still believe there are enough quality Panamanian players capable of penetrating a weak and psychologically beaten-up Bolivian backline.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
Argentina
Canada
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Ecuador
Mexico
Jamaica
Uruguay
Panama
USA
Bolivia
Colombia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Paraguay
