Panama’s footballers last to qualify for World Cup | free press

Panama’s footballers were the last team to qualify for this summer’s World Cup.

The Central Americans defeated Paraguay 1-0 (0-0) in the playoffs in Hamilton, New Zealand. Substitute Lineth Cedeno secured Panama’s first World Cup appearance with a 75th-minute header. In Group F, the team are outsiders against Brazil and France and also meet Jamaica.

Before Panama, Haiti and Portugal had already qualified for the World Cup finals via the intercontinental playoffs. The 32-team tournament will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. The German selection of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg plays in Group H against Morocco, Colombia and South Korea. (dpa)