Goals from José Fajardo, right, and Michael Amir Murillo, left, helped Panama beat Martinique ©Getty Images

Panama is on course for the quarter-finals of the 2023 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup after a narrow 2-1 win over Martinique.

The win puts them top of Group C with six points thanks to goals from José Fajardo and Michael Amir Murillo.

All three goals came in the second half with Fajardo heading in the opener in the 57th minute.

Eric Davis whipped one in from the left that was met with a thumping header in the six-yard box by Fajardo.

Both teams threatened each other through out the game but Los Canaleros were more clinical in front of goal.

Murillo doubled the lead in the 69th minute after a powerful drive from close range.

Three minutes into added time, Martinique got a deserved consolation when Karl Fabien scored.

In the other match, Costa Rica and El Salvador played out a goalless draw but all three teams have a chance to make it to the knockouts.

Costa Rica started aggressively but could not capitalise by scoring a goal, allowing El Salvador to grow into the match.

Celso Borges almost scored with a thunderous drive in the 39th minute only for Mario Gonzalez to make a crucial save to help El Salvador.

El Salvador’s Brayan Gil was unlucky when his shot on the stroke of halftime bounced off the  cross bar.

The second half saw more of the same with both teams sharing the momentum.

In the end, both teams fizzled out to set up a thrilling final group fixture on July 5.