PHILADELPHIA — Darren Mattocks scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute and Jamaica beat Panama 1-0 on Sunday to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals.
Mattocks converted after Michael Murillo was whistled for a handball in the box in the first game of the doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field. Mattocks, a forward for FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer, had entered the game two minutes earlier.
Andre Blake, the Philadelphia Union’s All-Star goalkeeper, made two big saves in front of his local fans, including one on Abdiel Arroyo in the 43rd minute en route to the shutout.
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Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia had a good stop on Junior Flemmings in the 58th minute.
Jamaica, a finalist in the 2017 Gold Cup, advanced to play the United States in the semifinals Wednesday night in Nashville, Tennessee. The U.S. beat Curacao 1-0 in the second game.
The Reggae Boyz have made it to the semifinal round in three straight Gold Cups.
Jamaica defender Damion Lowe will miss the semifinal after receiving a 90th-minute yellow card for time-wasting.
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