Panama 1-0 Canada: Player ratings as CanMNT finish top despite defeat

The Canadian men's national team closed out a historic World Cup qualifying campaign in a rather lackluster fashion with a 1-0 defeat away to Panama on Wednesday.

John Herdman's men have already sealed legendary status back home, booking Canada's place at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and for only the second time ever. What's more, the Cancuks even finished above the United States and Mexico at the top of the group.

But Wednesday was certainly an evening to forget for the Canadians, who fell thanks to a fine Gabriel Torres volley early into the second-half following a dull first 45.

Panama were good value for the win, outshooting their opponents 10-6 on the night. Still, Canada caused them a scare late on when substitutes Junior Hoilett and Cyle Larin combined to put the ball in the back of the net - the latter's header was eventually ruled out for offside following a VAR check.

All that said, Qatar 2022 awaits for the Canadians. But before you start booking flights or plotting possible paths through the tournament, let's take a look at how every Canada player performed on Wednesday:

Canada player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Maxime Crepeau (GK) - 6/10 - Could do nothing about the goal, but made a good save to stop a powerful Edgar Barcenas free-kick.

Tajon Buchanan (RWB) - 6/10 - Caught out far too high up the pitch for the Panama goal, leaving the 39-year-old Hutchison too exposed. Didn't quite have the end product but still looked exciting on the ball.

Alistair Johnston (CB) - 7/10 - Like Buchanan, Johnston was nowhere to be seen on the goal when he should have been protecting Hutchison. But he made up for it with a couple of last-ditch challenges.

Atiba Hutchinson (CB) - 7/10 - Safe on the ball and won plenty of challenges. Left out to dry by his teammates for the goal.

Kamal Miller (CB) - 5/10 - Generally solid but switched off to allow Torres space at the back post to score.

Sam Adekugbe (LWB) - 4/10 - Sloppy on the ball and couldn't find his range with his crosses.

2. Midfielders

Mark-Anthony Kaye (CM) - 6/10 - Neat and tidy on the ball but didn't do enough to get Canada moving forward.

Ismael Kone (CM) - 4/10 - Looked as nervous as a 19-year-old starting his first senior national team match. Subbed out at half-time. All that said, still a night to celebrate for the teenager.

Stephen Eustaquio (CM) - 7/10 - Safe and accurate with the ball as always, but not quite incisive enough on this occasion.

3. Forwards

Lucas Cavallini (ST) - 5/10 - Got stuck into plenty of challenges and battled hard but didn't offer enough quality on the ball.

Jonathan David (ST) - 4/10 - Tried more than most to make things happen for Canada but missed a couple of really big chances that would have swung the result.

4. Substitutes

Jonathan Osorio (for Kone, 45 minutes) - 6/10 - Settled the midfield a little after a nervy performance from Kone in the first half.

Junior Hoilett (for Kaye, 60 minutes) - 6/10 - Put in a lovely cross to set up a Cyle Larin goal, which was ruled out by VAR for a very close offside call.

Cyle Larin (for Cavallini, 60 minutes) - 6/10 - Certainly livened up the Canadian attack and should have notched his 14th goal of his qualifying cycle right at the end, but VAR had other ideas.

Richie Laryea (for Johnston, 73 minutes) - 4/10 - Didn't get into the pace of the game at all, losing the ball more often than not.

Ike Ugbo (for Buchanan, 87 minutes) - 5/10 - Didn't have enough time to make a difference.