Panama kept Canada in check for 44 minutes Sunday, but a seven-goal, 34-minute spell ended the Central American’s hopes of an astonishing upset at the semifinal stage of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship. By advancing to the final, Canada secured automatic qualification to the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, where it’ll look to improve on a quarterfinal showing at the 2015 finals on home soil.
The legendary Christine Sinclair notched international goals number 176 and 177 for Canada, and Janine Beckie also registered a brace to go along with strikes from Jessie Fleming, Rebecca Quinn and Adriana Leon.
Canada outshot Panama 29-2 and put 17 on frame. Panama, on the other hand, failed to register a shot on target.
Here are both of Sinclair’s goals, the first coming in the 44th minute and the next in the 49th.
No. for Christine Sinclair!
Sinclair's goal has Canada 45 minutes away from the Women's World Cup, and her just 8 goals away from Abby Wambach's all-time record. pic.twitter.com/h01dSuesWq— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 14, 2018
Make it for Christine Sinclair's career!
Her second of the day has Canada closing in on a spot in France 2019. pic.twitter.com/YaSUJMancn— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 14, 2018
Canada now awaits the winner of the semifinal between the USWNT and Jamaica. The final will be played on Oct. 17 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Panama will play the loser of that match in the third place playoff. The winner of that game also directly qualifies for France, while the loser must face Argentina in a two-legged playoff to secure qualification.
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