The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals kick off with a thrilling Central American showdown as Panama faces Honduras this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This highly anticipated match marks the sixth Gold Cup encounter between these two nations, but the first time they've met in the Knockout Stage. Honduras holds a slight edge in their Gold Cup history, with three wins compared to Panama's one, along with one draw. The stakes are high as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
Panama Eyes Their First Gold Cup Title
Panama enters the Quarterfinals riding a wave of momentum, having finished atop Group C with a perfect 3-0-0 record. Los Canaleros started their campaign with a thrilling 5-2 victory against Guadeloupe, followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Guatemala and a dominant 4-1 triumph over Jamaica. Their impressive offensive performance in the group stage, scoring a tournament-leading 10 goals, highlights their ambition to finally lift the Gold Cup trophy.
A major force behind Panama's success has been Ismael Díaz, who currently leads the Golden Boot race with five goals. Díaz has equaled Gabriel Torres' record for the most goals scored by a Panamanian player in a single Gold Cup edition, demonstrating his exceptional form and goal-scoring prowess.
Honduras Seeks to Reclaim Past Glory
Honduras returns to the knockout round for the first time since 2021, after securing a 2-0-1 record and finishing among the top two in Group B. Following an initial defeat to Canada, Los Catrachos bounced back with consecutive 2-0 victories against El Salvador and Curaçao, securing their place in the Quarterfinals. Their balanced attack, with goals from Jorge Álvarez, Luis Palma, Dixon Ramírez, and Romell Quioto, showcases their depth and versatility.
Honduras' best Gold Cup finish was in the inaugural edition, where they narrowly lost the final on penalties. They also reached the semifinals in 2005 and 2009, with current manager Reinaldo Rueda leading the team during the latter campaign. Rueda's experience and tactical acumen will be crucial as Honduras aims to surpass their previous achievements.
Head-to-Head History
The historical rivalry between Panama and Honduras adds another layer of excitement to this Quarterfinal clash. Here's a brief overview of their all-time series:
- Total matches: 47
- Honduras wins: 23
- Panama wins: [Implied: 23-3-4= 20]
- Goals: Honduras 68, Panama 39
In their last 10 meetings across all competitions, both sides have secured 3 wins each, with 4 draws, highlighting the competitive nature of their encounters.
How to Watch Panama vs. Honduras
Fans in the USA can catch all the live action on DirecTV (free trial). Here are the details:
- What: CONCACAF Gold Cup, Quarterfinals
- Who: Panama vs. Honduras
- When: Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
- Channel finder: DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum
- Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV (free trial), Sling, Hulu + Live TV
Betting Odds
For those interested in wagering on the match, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State. Various platforms offer introductory offers to help you navigate your first bets, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Bet365.
The Road Ahead
The winner of the Panama vs. Honduras match will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia quarterfinal. With both Panama and Honduras displaying strong performances throughout the tournament, this promises to be a captivating and tightly contested battle for a place in the final four.