Panama's futsal national team kicked off its 2026 Nations Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 win over El Salvador. The match took place at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua, handing Panama its first-ever victory in the UNCAF-organized tournament.
Ángel Sánchez opened the scoring for Los Canaleros in the final three minutes of the first half. Ricardo Castillo netted the go-ahead goal after the break before Sánchez completed his brace. Goalkeeper Noel Hernández sealed the 4-1 result with a strike from his own area in the dying seconds. Rosenberg Ramírez scored the lone goal for El Salvador.
Next challenge against Costa Rica
The result puts Panama in a strong position in Group B, which also features Costa Rica. Their next match is against the Costa Ricans on Wednesday, October 30 at 4:30 p.m. Panama time. A win would secure top spot in the group and direct passage to the tournament final on October 31. Head coach Jaime Aizpú's starting lineup featured Noel Hernández in goal, alongside Ruman Millord, Ángel Sánchez, Alfonso Maquensi and Luis Vásquez.
This futsal success comes during a positive period for Panamanian football overall. The senior national team is on a three-match unbeaten run of draws, including a 1-1 result against Ecuador on October 5. That match, which finished 1-1, featured a dramatic conclusion with goals from Josue Vergara and Amir Murillo from the penalty spot for Panama. Their recent form reads zero wins, three draws, and zero defeats. Their next fixture in that category is an away match against Curaçao on Monday, November 9.
The win over El Salvador is not only an ideal start but a firm step towards the goal of claiming the regional title. The team showed defensive solidity and attacking precision, elements it must replicate against Costa Rica to finish the group stage with a perfect record. The team enters this tournament on a run of three wins from their last five matches, showing an upward trend in form. In the opening match, they held El Salvador without a shot on goal for the first 15 minutes of the second half, a key statistic that highlights their defensive strength.
More detail at Fepafut.com
