‘Panamania’ breaks out in stands as minnows score first World Cup goal
Related Story: England annihilates Panama 6-1 in record World Cup mauling
Panama's lopsided 6-1 defeat against England came with a silver lining for the football minnow's crazed fans, who celebrated the nation's first World Cup goal as if they had won the final.
The side are now unable to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition and have conceded nine goals in their opening two games.
But fans from the Central American country, where baseball players and boxers traditionally reign, still found a reason to party.
A Harry Kane hat-trick, a brace from John Stones and a spectacular Jesse Lingard goal saw Panama slip to a 6-0 deficit.
That was before Felipe Baloy made history for the World Cup debutants, scoring their first World Cup goal.
The outstretched right foot of Baloy, making his World Cup debut at age 37, guided the ball home from a 78th-minute free kick, triggering pandemonium among fans in the stands and also back home, in celebrations dubbed "Panamania" on social media.
Tearful fans on hand at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium cheered and embraced each other in a celebration more befitting a victory than a 6-1 defeat.
Fans at home join celebration
Those who couldn't make it to Russia gathered at Panama City's Rommel Fernandez Stadium, named for the former national team striker whose club career included stints with numerous Spanish clubs.
There, the goal was met with delirious celebrations by a large crowd singing and dancing in the street.
"In the last World Cup, Brazil that have won five times, got beaten 7-1. So what I want to tell Panama fans is to not feel down, there's another World Cup coming soon where we will be able to perform better," said fan Luis Galdamez.
External Link: Tweet Panama commentators
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Baloy — the team's captain despite coming on as a second-half substitute — had come in for criticism over his age and is "100 per cent sure" he will retire from international football at the conclusion of the World Cup, bringing to an end an international career spanning more than 100 games.
"I think it's important, something big," Baloy said about his historic goal.
"England is a strong team, with great players. We're learning a lot. The result makes us sad, but the first goal is important."
His sentiment was echoed by supporters.
"I'm definitely sad about the final score but also happy that Panama scored their first goal in a World Cup, especially because it was a veteran like Felipe Baloy who scored the goal. No-one deserved it more than him," said Jose Isabel Blandon at Rommel Fernandez Stadium.
Quick kick-off falls flat
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Panama players thought their moment in the sun might arrive in the first half when they attempted an audacious quick kick-off, only to have it foiled by the referee's whistle.
As England celebrated Harry Kane's first penalty goal on 22 minutes, Panama players raced to halfway to restart play with only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford between them and the English goal.
They took a quick kick-off and were preparing a shot when the referee spoiled the fun by enforcing a FIFA rule that dictates, "All players must be in their own half of the field of play" when a kick-off is taken.
The side's historic moment would be delayed by 56 minutes, but was worth the wait for fans and players alike.
Panama's final game will be against Tunisia, who are also eliminated from the competition.
ABC/AP
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