Canada thrashes Jamaica 4-0 to reach their first men’s World Cup in 36 years

Canada has qualified for the 2022 men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time in 36 years after thrashing Jamaica 4-0 on Sunday in Toronto on Matchday 13 of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.

With the win, Canada became the first CONCACAF nation to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as they find themselves at a three-point lead at the top of the table with a match to spare in the CONCACAF final round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Canada vs Jamaica

Canada were favorites heading into the game with Jamaica. While the hosts were at least guaranteed a place in the intercontinental play-offs, the visitors were already eliminated as they sat at the second bottom place of the eight-team group with just eight points.

A goal in the opening 13 minutes by Maple Leaf’s Cyle Larin gave the host advantage as Canada took possession in their own half and charged forward. Tajon Buchanan then doubled the home team’s lead just before half-time before Junior Hoilett ensured the celebrations were properly up and running by scoring the third goal late in the second half, while there was time for an Adrian Mariappa own goal to make it 4-0.

With just one round of qualifying matches remaining, Canada sits top of the CONCACAF standings on 28 points. The historic win came 37 years after Canada qualified for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico with a 1-0 victory over Honduras on September 14, 1985. That marked the Canadian men’s lone trip to the WC.

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Honduras vs Mexico

Elsewhere, A 1-0 away win over Honduras has booked Mexico a top-four place in CONCACAF’s Octagonal table, guaranteeing them at least an intercontinental playoff spot for the 2022 World Cup.

After a scoreless first half with little action from both sides, Mexico’s lone goal came in the 70th minute thanks to an Edson Alvarez header that deflected off Junior Lacayo and into the net. Hector Herrera, who will be suspended for Mexico’s next qualifier against El Salvador due to yellow card accumulation, provided the assist from a corner kick.

Thanks to that goal, to go through the World Cup, Mexico needs at least a tie with El Salvador.

USA vs Panama

Pulisic bags hat-trick against Panama

The USMNT dominated Panama 5-1 on Sunday in their second-to-last World Cup qualifier as Christian Pulisic registered a hat trick. The U.S. led 3-0 by the half-hour mark with Pulisic (penalty), Paul Arriola, and Jesus Ferreira all scoring in a 10-minute span. Another Pulisic penalty late in the first half slammed the door shut on any type of improbable comeback for the visitors.

In the second half, it was again all USA, with Pulisic rounding out his hat trick with an audacious goal, taking a stellar touch, nutmegging a defender and finishing with class. The result sets up a comfortable scenario for their final game against Costa Rica. The United States of America can suffer a lopsided loss and still qualify for the World Cup. In fact, the USA. would have to lose 6-0 or worse to miss out on the World Cup.

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El Salvador vs Costa Rica

The last game of the matchday saw Costa Rica go ahead at the half-hour mark following Anthony Contreras’s goal. However, the hosts soon levelled up within a minute after Cristian David Gil Hurtado slotted the ball past Keylor Navas’ post. Former Arsenal and current Monterrey star Joel Campbell slotted the winner for the away side in the 45th minute ensuring Costa Rica an important three-point win that keeps them fourth in the points table.

Qualification Scenario

Canada has qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and will appear at the finals for the first time in 36 years.

With the victory in hand, Mexico remains third in the table with 25 points and a +7 goal differential. The United States, level with Mexico on 25 points, sit above them in second place thanks to a goal differential of +13. Costa Rica, in fourth place, is on 22 points and with a +3 goal differential.

All three have yet to cement a place in the World Cup but are guaranteed at least an intercontinental playoff spot. Below them, fifth-placed Panama, sixth-placed El Salvador, seventh-placed Jamaica and eighth-placed Honduras are out of the running. The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama are all in contention for the final two automatic CONCACAF qualification spots for the 2022 World Cup.

Mexico and the USA, who face El Salvador and Costa Rica respectively on Wednesday need only a draw from their final qualification game to book their spots in Qatar. 

Costa Rica, in fourth place, would need a big win against the US and for results to go their way to finish in the top three and gain automatic qualification. After MatchDay 14, the fourth-placed country in the eight-team table earns a play-off against the winner of Wednesday’s final of Oceania qualifying between the Solomon Islands and New Zealand.