Panama became the final team to book their ticket for the upcoming Women's World Cup after they defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the final qualifying playoff at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday.
Panama, who will play at the World Cup for the first time, will be in Group F with France, Jamaica and Brazil.
No sé quienes son, pero mándenles el pasaporte y háganlos ciudadanos honorarios de Panamá pic.twitter.com/bGZ1xb8Yhl
— Carlos M. Infante P. (@CM_Infante) February 23, 2023
This year's World Cup, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia from July 20 to Aug. 20, will be the first edition to feature 32 teams.
Substitute Lineth Cedeño secured a sensational victory for Panama with a 75th-minute goal after she headed home a free kick played into the box by captain Marta Cox. Cedeño, who came off the bench in the second half, collected a yellow card for taking off her shirt during the goal celebration.
⚽️ ¡¡PANAMÁ SE PONE ARRIBA EN EL MARCADOR!!
Enorme remate de cabeza de Lineth Cedeño para marcar el primero del partido, ¿Será el gol para @FIFAWWC?Paraguay 0-1 Panamá
EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y APP Telemundo Deportes ▶️ https://t.co/PPb5t0vIoz#RumboAlMundial pic.twitter.com/UN1uszfaMG
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) February 23, 2023
PANAMA BREAK THE DEADLOCK!
Watch the match LIVE: https://t.co/XfXj9bjJDP pic.twitter.com/2FHBAONVEK
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) February 23, 2023
I'm not crying; you're crying ❤️
For the first time ever, Panama book their spot at the FIFA Women's World Cup, and complete the 32-team fieldThe details | https://t.co/ZPFxgUXrTq#OptusSport #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/pYxeqoe21W
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 23, 2023
Portugal and Haiti were the other two teams who booked their spots at the World Cup from the final qualifying playoffs that were held in Auckland and Hamilton.
World number one United States are the defending world champions after they beat the Netherlands in the 2019 World Cup Final in France.
The #FIFAWWC 2023 Groups are set!
Which one is the most exciting? #BeyondGreatness— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) February 23, 2023
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue)