Gold Cup: Panama seal quarterfinal spot

Seattle – Panama scored a one-nil victory over Martinique in Group A of their CONCACAF Gold Cup match at CenturyLink Field to secure a quarterfinal berth.

Gabriel Torres converted a penalty kick in the 85th minute to give Panama their second win in two games after shocking Mexico with a two-one win on the opening day of the tournament.

It was Torres’ third goal of the tournament and it came after Martinique’s Sebastien Cretinoir fouled Jairo Jimenez in the box, prompting referee Armando Castro to point to the penalty spot.

Torres sent his 83rd minute penalty kick to the left of a diving Martinique goalkeeper, Kevin Olimpa, who tried slapping the ball away with his right hand.

The victory over Martinique secures a quarterfinal berth for Panama.

Group A play ends with a doubleheader on Sunday in Denver.

Panama will face Canada, while Martinique meet Mexico.