Kiryat Shmona Midfielder Named Man of the Match in Panama's Loss to Croatia

Kiryat Shmona midfielder Christian Martinez was named man of the match after Panama’s 1-0 loss to Croatia on Thursday night in the 2026 World Cup. The result came in the latest round of matches in the tournament, and Panama has now been eliminated from contention with one group game left against England.

Martinez completed 90 minutes for Panama for the first time since 2018 and played on the wing. He finished 24 of 34 passes, drew three fouls, won 5 of 8 duels against Croatia’s physical midfield, which included Luka Modric, and also made two clearances and four recoveries.

His recognition follows another strong showing by a foreign player from the Israeli Premier League, after Cape Verde’s Helio Varela became the first league player since Motale Spiegler to score at a World Cup in the 2-2 draw with Uruguay.

Fans and journalists in Latin America praised Martinez. One Cronica Alvinegra fan account wrote that he is “a great player,” said he “was everywhere on the pitch,” and called it “amazing” that he plays for Kiryat Shmona. Panamanian journalist Leonardo Aguiar added, “He should not waste another second in Israel. He is at his peak, and he deserves to play in a better league.”