With a powerful free kick from Fidel Escobar and a phenomenal Jaime Penedo, the Panamanian national team defeated Honduras 1-0 in the start of the final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

Escobar scored the goal in the 22nd minute, and the valuable three points will allow Panama to await Mexico with more tranquility on Tuesday for the second match of the hexagonal. Honduras will continue at home to face Trinidad and Tobago.

The Panamanian goal was generated by a foul that defender Bran Beckeles committed on the edge of the area against midfielder Alberto Quintero, who whenever he touched the ball was a headache for the defense.

Escobar struck with a strong right shot that passed between the legs of the defenders and nestled into Donnis Escober's goal, in the midst of a tangled game with few ideas.

Honduras had control of the ball until that moment, but without causing any harm to a visitor that has complicated their life in recent years.

The approach of Colombian coach Hernán Darío Gómez, of putting five midfielders and forward Blas Pérez alone up front, paid off: Panama crowded the midfield, marked incessantly, and defended well.

After the goal, Panama settled better on the field although they suffered the loss of defender Luis Ovalle due to injury.

Honduras continued without depth and without stringing together a clear attack. The only dangerous opportunity originated from a free kick from outside the area by Alberth Elis, which Penedo cleared well in the final minutes.

The bet by Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto, to align the inexperienced Elis and Romell Quioto in attack, who excelled in the football of the last Olympic Games, was not determinant until then.

Trailing behind in the score, Honduras did not take long to look for the equalizer and cornered the opponent, but ran into a giant Penedo who cleared a header from Diego Reyes when it was going in and another shot from Elis near the small area, at 52 minutes.

Panama had the second goal minutes later with a cannon shot from Édgar Bárcenas from outside the area, which forced a stretched save from Escober. The ball fell to Pérez, who surprisingly missed the target with an open goal at his disposal.

Immediately after, a center from the right almost resulted in a goal for Quintero. Quintero shot and Escober saved. The Panamanian midfielder managed to shoot again with difficulty and the goalkeeper was able to take the ball right on the goal line.

Honduras has not beaten Panama since the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup, by a score of 3-1. In the past hexagonal for the 2014 World Cup, Panama won at home 2-0 and then drew 2-2 as an away team.