World Cup 2018: Three teams that lost three matches in Russia

#2 Panama

Panama celebrate their World Cup qualification

Panama's World Cup debut has brought home multiple lessons. The technical and tactical inefficiencies of the Panama side have been brutally exposed; the first 45 minutes against Belgium, when the Central Americans were able to stifle the opposition, seems like a consolation victory now. Another key factor in their dismal campaign has been their discipline, which has been key to Panama’s costly errors and early exclusion.

However, this World Cup has also been an opportunity to learn more about the country and its people and its avid football fan base. The supporters have stood out for their vociferous chanting, their disarming cheeriness even when things have gone terribly wrong as they lost all three of their group matches.

Panama’s fans, joyous even in defeat, had a couple of genuine moments to release their cheerfulness throughout their stay in Russia when the team scored its two goals of the tournament against England and Tunisia. All-in-all a great learning experience for a small country on the international stage.