Panama make history as they qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 on Tuesday with 2-1 controversial victory over Costa Rica, a result which also helped eliminate the United States.

The goal given to Panama in the 52nd minute to level the score at 1-1 never appeared to cross the goal line.

On the other hand the U.S.'s defeat to Trinidad and Tobago, Panama needed a victory to move up the CONCACAF table after falling 4-0 to the Americans on Friday, and they got the result with two second half-goals to erase an early deficit.

On the equalizing goal, the ball came into the box from a corner. It deflected off of Gabriel Torres' rear end, and struck the inside of the far post.

Panama’s Blas Perez shirt being pulled from behind fell to the ground and the ball bounced off his shoulder before coming to rest on the goal line.

He tried to get the ball across the line, but Costa Rican defender Ronald Matarrita, seated within the goal, kicked the ball off of Perez and out of play on the other side of the post.

However, referee Walter Lopez of Guatemala gave the goal, and though Costa Rica complained that the ball never crossed the line, the play stood.

With is victory Panama cruse their way to Russia. However this is the first time since 1986, the U.S. will be absent from the World Cup finals.