Philadelphia, PA
Could VAR have made a difference in the outcome of the 1-0 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal game between Jamaica and Panama? A just inside the box header certainly looked to be a 50-50 ball from the vantage of the field, but the referee thought it a hand ball.
An ambitious Panama team was sufficiently aggressive, particularly in the second half, to have made it to overtime at least. In the first half, Panama outshot Jamaica 4-1, holding possession 56 percent of the time. Panama continued the pressure through the second half, increasing time of possession for the entire game to 61 percent.
But then in the 73rd minute, Panama’s Michael Murillo went up for that header. It looked completely clean, but to the surprise of many, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Jamaica’s Darren Mattocks easily converted the penalty shot in the 75th minute for the Jamaica win.
The Panama team supporters were numerous and vocal.
Jamaica keeper Andre Blake was way off his line during this tussle with Panama’s Edgar Barcenas
Jamaica’s Je-vaughn Watson has the ball well in hand ahead of Murillo.
Barcentas leaps over Blake, shortly to be followed by Jamaica’s Kemar Lawrence.
Panama’s Abdiel Arroyo running with Jamaica’s Shaun Francis.
Murillo’s header against Mattocks looked completely clean. His hand does come close to the ball (although not touching) in this shot.
Mattocks easily converted the PK for the 1-0 victory.
The walk to center after the PK.
