QUITO (Interstat) — Panama defeated Ecuador 2-1 on Monday, using a first-half goal from J. Vergara and a later finish to secure the road result. Vergara struck in the 38th minute before Ecuador’s J. Angulo equalized in the 58th. The visitors restored their lead and held on through a chippy finish that included yellow cards to Panama’s A. Carrasquilla, M. Krug, C. Harvey, C. Blackman and V. Griffith, plus Ecuador’s F. Caicedo. Panama improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-0 overall, while Ecuador dropped to 0-1 in the competition and 0-1 overall. Michael Murillo and Cesar Blackman were in Panama’s lineup, and Carlos Harvey also started. Ecuador’s Anthony Valencia provided an assist. John Yeboah, P. Vite, Nilson Angulo and Juan Angulo each saw 44 minutes for Ecuador. Panama’s Giovany Herbert, Rafael Mosquera and Daivis Murillo appeared as substitutes. Ecuador made four changes at halftime and continued searching for an equalizer, but Panama’s defense protected the advantage. The result gave Panama the win as the visiting side and left Ecuador with a narrow home defeat.