Gold Cup: United States beat Panama to set up Curacao tie in last eight

Los Angeles: Jozy Altidore scored a memorable second-half goal to help the United States to a 1-0 win over Panama on Wednesday and set them up for a quarter-final match against Curacao.

Altidore’s 42nd strike for the national side with an overhead kick just four metres from goal broke the deadlock 19 minutes into the second period and guaranteed the United States first place in Group D.

The result meant the Gold Cup champions will play Group C runner-up Curacao in Sunday’s quarter-final in Philadelphia. Panama, who finished second in the group with six points, will take on Group C winners Jamaica the same night.