Panama’s Thomas Christiansen Leads Team to Concacaf Nations League Final

LOS ÁNGELES, California – Thomas Christiansen, a former Osasuna player, has led the Panama national football team to the final of the Concacaf Nations League after a stunning victory over the United States. The decisive goal, scored by Cecilio Waterman in stoppage time, secured a 1-0 win, marking a significant milestone in Christiansen’s coaching career.

The match, held on Thursday, showcased Panama’s resilience and tactical prowess under Christiansen, who took on the national team role in 2020. His leadership has already yielded impressive results including a silver medal at the Concacaf Gold Cup two years ago.

“We are thrilled to reach the final,” Christiansen said after the match. “It’s a proud moment for our players and the entire country. We’ve worked hard, and we will continue to push forward.”

Christiansen, who originally joined Osasuna from Barcelona in 1994 for 35 million pesetas, had a brief playing stint before transitioning to coaching. After a successful playing career in Spain and Germany, including a standout season as the top scorer in the Bundesliga with Bochum, he moved into management with stops in Cyprus and England.

On the other sideline, Javier Aguirre, another ex-Osasuna player, is managing the Mexican squad that will clash with Panama in the final at SoFi Stadium, adding a subplot to this high-stakes encounter.

Among Christiansen’s coaching staff is physical trainer Christian Beguer Baigorri, who has been with the Panama national team since 2018. Beguer, who hails from the town of Buñuel, is known for his rigorous training methodologies, influenced by his experiences in both domestic and international football.

Beguer praised the players’ commitment, stating, “The dedication they show is incredible. Each training session brings us closer to our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.”

The final against Mexico is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see if Christiansen can deliver his team its first major trophy on the international stage. The momentum is behind Panama as they prepare to face a fierce rival in what promises to be an exhilarating match.