Late Pemberton goal earns quarterfinal place for Cartagines | OneFootball

CARTAGO, Costa Rica – A late goal from Jossimar Pemberton earned Cartagines a place in the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup quarterfinals thanks to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Universitario of Panama in their Group A finale on Tuesday night at the Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica.

With the result, Cartagines finish second in the group, just one point ahead of their Panamanian opponents to advance to the final eight along with group winners Saprissa.

Cartagines could not have asked for a better start, as they took a 1-0 lead in the 18’ thanks to Marcel Hernandez’s cooly converted penalty.

Universitario were unfazed and the visiting Panamanians answered back in the 35’ when a long throw-in was flicked on at the near post and Jean Sanchez was there to meet the ball at the far post with a header to even the score at 1-1.

The goal gave Universitario life and after being denied on the doorstep by Cartagines GK Kevin Briceno just minutes before, Universitario would take a 2-1 lead in the 71’. It was Sanchez again, this time pouncing on a loose ball after it had been pinballing around in front of goal.

The impetus was on Cartagines to respond, and after several attempts, the eagerly anticipated equalizer came in the 83’ when Hernandez popped a header back in front of goal and a failed clearance from Universitario GK Joseph Esquina allowed Jossimar Pemberton to swoop in and even things at 2-2.

Universitario committed everyone forward in hopes of sneaking in a late winner to qualify for the knockout stage and it nearly came in second half stoppage time if not for a last-gasp block from Cartagines’ Jostin Daly, whose heroics helped nail down the precious draw for the hosts.