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Victor Petkov
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Panama shocks USA with 2-1 win at Copa America
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The hosts crumble in their second game of the tournament

Panama secured a shocking 2-1 victory over the USMNT in a dramatic Group C encounter at the Copa America on Thursday. The match took a different rout in the 18th minute when the U.S. was reduced to 10 men following Tim Weah’s red card.

The game began with high tension, and in the 12th minute, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner had to be substituted after a collision with Panama’s Cesar Blackman, bringing Ethan Horvath into the match. Just six minutes later, Weah was shown a red card after a video review confirmed he had shoved Roderick Miller in the back of the head during an off-the-ball incident.

Despite being a man down, the U.S. took the lead in the 22nd minute when Folarin Balogun fired a stunning strike from 17 yards, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the lead was short-lived as Blackman equalized for Panama with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box just four minutes later.

The U.S. managed to avoid conceding a penalty in the 64th minute after a video review overturned a decision against Cameron Carter-Vickers.

As the game approached its end, the U.S. had a great  opportunity in the 81st minute, but Ricardo Pepi’s header was saved by Panama’s goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Just two minutes later, Panama struck the decisive blow. Substitute Jose Fajardo smashed home a cross from Abdiel Ayarza to secure the win.

The drama continued when Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla was shown a red card for a harsh challenge on Christian Pulisic in the 88th minute, but Panama held on for the victory.

With this result, both the U.S. and Panama are level on three points, though the U.S. holds a better goal difference. To advance to the knockout rounds, the U.S. must at least match Panama’s result in the final group game. The U.S. will face Uruguay, while Panama will play against Bolivia on Monday.