Gold Cup: Panama blank Guatemala, take group lead

Tomas Rodriguez's 19th-minute goal proved enough for Panama to beat Guatemala 1-0 on Friday in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match at Austin, Texas.

The result leaves Panama (2-0-0, 6 points) atop Group C ahead of Jamaica (1-0-1, 3 points) and Guatemala (1-0-1, 3 points). Guadeloupe (0-2-0, 0 points) are in last place.

An impressive passing sequence led to Rodriguez's goal. Fidel Escobar chipped a long ball to Amir Murillo running into the right side of the penalty area. Murillo head it down, and Rodriguez beat his defender to the ball and volleyed it past goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

Orlando Mosquera made one save while recording a clean sheet for Panama. Hagen was credited with seven saves.

Panama's final Group C match is against Jamaica on Tuesday in Austin. Guatemala faces Guadeloupe on Tuesday in Houston.