Román Torres and Panama will need a result on Sunday to keep their 2018 FIFA World Cup alive on Matchday 2 when they take on England at 5 a.m. PT in Nizhny Novgorod.
Panama dropped their opener in Group G 3-0 to Belgium behind three second-half goals, one from Dries Mertens and a brace by Romelu Lukaku. Torres started and captained Los Canaleros in their first World Cup, an emotional moment that caused several Panamanian players to tear up.
England won’t be any easier a task for Panama as the Three Lions enter off a dramatic 2-1 win over Tunisia and boast the firepower of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling. If Panama want to make their group finale count for more than just a consolation match, they’ll need at least a point against the European giants.
Panama qualified for the World Cup in miraculous fashion when Torres scored the game-winning goal against Costa Rica in the 88th minute, and they might need a little more of that magic on Sunday.
