Panama's forward #8 Adalberto Carrasquilla fights for the ball with South Africa's midfielder #12 Thapelo Maseko during the friendly international football match between South Africa and Panama at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on March 31, 2026. Photo: AFP
The hosts failed to clear a corner after 58 minutes and, when Ismael Diaz had a shot parried by goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, Jose Cordoba reacted quickest to poke the ball into the net.
South Africa levelled six minutes later with a brilliant goal from the 20-year-old Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi in front of a 50,000 crowd. His thunderbolt from outside the area gave goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera no chance.
The home side were soon undone by another loose ball from a set piece however.
South Africa failed to clear a free-kick on 77 minutes as Jiovany Ramos nodded home from close range to become the third defender to score.
Panama have been drawn with England, Croatia and Ghana in Group L at the finals.
It was the second match between Panama and South Africa after a 1-1 draw in Durban last Friday.
"We were more aggressive than in Durban and had more control of the ball," said Denmark-born Panama coach Thomas Christiansen.
"Our victory was a fair reflection of the match and we did well to score twice from set pieces. Interestingly, both goals came from defenders.
"My boys showed strong personalities to win after South Africa equalised. It was also nice to play in a full stadium."
It was a final home match after five years at the helm for South Africa coach Hugo Broos as the 73-year-old Belgian has said he will retire after the World Cup to "spend more time with his grandchildren".
"We played well in the first half, but were overpowered by the physicality and speed of Panama after half-time," said Broos.
"They showed in the two matches against us why they are ranked 33rd in the world.
South Africa are in Group A at the World Cup with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic or Denmark.
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