WBC 2026: Colombia Breaks Through vs. Panama 4-3, Ends Classic on High Note

Colombia and Panama met for their final game of Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan on Monday, March 9, 2026—both desperately needing a win. For five innings neither could scratch a run across. Then Colombia broke through with a four-run sixth and held on to beat Panama 4-3, avoiding a winless Classic and eliminating Panama from contention in the process. Manager Jose Mosquera said: "For me it's an honor to coach them, and we as a team, we're a family. We wanted to get more, of course, but I think that we take with us a lot of learning and reflection to be a better country as a league and Federation."

Colombia's lineup had struggled through the first three games of pool play, scoring a total of six runs and going just 2-for-28 with runners in scoring position. Monday's game started the same way: Colombia lefty Adrian Almeida and Panama's Paolo Espino—the 39-year-old WBC lifer—traded zeroes. It was a particularly impactful performance from Espino, who pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his final professional appearance. Espino, who had pitched for Panama in the 2006 WBC as a 19-year-old, had announced earlier in the week that he is retiring from baseball after the Classic. He said afterward: "Yeah, of course, it was very special. I felt more excited than anything. When I came out, the last time was a strikeout, I was very proud of myself. I feel really happy with everything I've done throughout my career."

With Espino out, the floodgates opened in the top of the sixth. Colombia loaded the bases with nobody out via two walks and a single. Jordan Diaz lofted a fly ball to left that was just deep enough to score Michael Arroyo ahead of an off-line throw from Luis Castillo. Then Reynaldo Rodriguez—39 years old and playing in his third Classic—came through with Colombia's biggest hit of the tournament: a single through the five hole at 101.3 mph off the bat that scored a pair. Daniel Vellojin tacked on another run with a bloop single that evaded shortstop José Caballero, capping the four-run frame. Rodriguez said: "Remember it's not about Reynaldo Rodriguez. It's about Colombia. It's a country, and I believe it's quite an important victory for our country."

Panama could not recapture its magic from the night prior, when it had engineered a come-from-behind win over Canada. Its late comeback on Monday—a two-run eighth that ended with the go-ahead run stranded at second—fell just short. Panama and Colombia each finished pool play 1-3. Which team will be relegated from Pool A could depend on Canada (1-1): if Canada winds up 1-3, a three-way tie would trigger run-quotient tiebreakers; in a two-way tie with Colombia, Panama would be relegated because of head-to-head.

Pool A standings (through March 9, 2026)

*Source: ESPN WBC standings.*

Names to watch for AthX

Colombia features Jordan Diaz, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Daniel Vellojin, and Adrian Almeida. Panama had Paolo Espino (final pro appearance), José Caballero, Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Orioles), and Ruben Tejada. WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

*Sources: MLB.com – Colombia breaks through at last vs. Panama to end Classic on high note; ESPN – Colombia vs. Panama Final Score; ESPN WBC standings. Fact-checked March 9, 2026.*