Written by George Simon
(June 6, 2016) – Panama and Bolivia brought excitement and goals to Camping World Stadium, in a dynamic game with several opportunities for both teams that played in the heat and rain of Orlando. Panama defeated the Bolivian side, 2-1, with a double by Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Blas Pérez, who reached 41 goals for the Panama national team, the all-time top scorer for this country.
During the first minutes, Panama imposed a fast paced game that helped them reach Bolivia’s goal on several occasions. They created much trouble for the Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, who could not save Blas Pérez first attempt on goal after a great cross by Alberto Quintero, with this goal Panama set the mood for the rest of the first half with Bolivia creating a few chances without danger.
The second half changed for Bolivia getting to Panama’s goal several times during the first minutes of the complement. In the 54th minute of the game, Carlos Arce scored an equalizer for Bolivia after an error by Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who dropped the ball inside the box giving the chance to Arce to score.
The rest of the second half was frenetic with several chances by both teams, but in the last 15 minutes, it Panama who was pushing forward and got the second goal, thanks to Blas Pérez, to seal their first ever Copa America victory.
With this win, Panama shares the top of Group “D” with Argentina with 3 points, while Bolivia and Chile stay behind with no points. Panama will travel to Chicago on Friday, June 10, to face Argentina. While Bolivia will go to Foxborough to play against the current defending champions Chile on the same day.
During the first minutes, Panama imposed a fast paced game that helped them reach Bolivia’s goal on several occasions. They created much trouble for the Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, who could not save Blas Pérez first attempt on goal after a great cross by Alberto Quintero, with this goal Panama set the mood for the rest of the first half with Bolivia creating a few chances without danger.
The second half changed for Bolivia getting to Panama’s goal several times during the first minutes of the complement. In the 54th minute of the game, Carlos Arce scored an equalizer for Bolivia after an error by Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who dropped the ball inside the box giving the chance to Arce to score.
The rest of the second half was frenetic with several chances by both teams, but in the last 15 minutes, it Panama who was pushing forward and got the second goal, thanks to Blas Pérez, to seal their first ever Copa America victory.
With this win, Panama shares the top of Group “D” with Argentina with 3 points, while Bolivia and Chile stay behind with no points. Panama will travel to Chicago on Friday, June 10, to face Argentina. While Bolivia will go to Foxborough to play against the current defending champions Chile on the same day.