Canada‘s men’s national team virtually became the first to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the CONCACAF zone despite losing its unbeaten record to Costa Rica in San Jose, due to Panama’s surprise draw at home to Honduras and a draw at the Azteca Stadium between Mexico and the United States on Thursday night.
Canada returns to a World Cup after 36 years since its only participation in the world’s greatest soccer competition in Mexico 1986. The “Maple Leafs” have 25 points, the United States and Mexico have 22, while Costa Rica climbed to fourth place for a place in the intercontinental playoffs with 19 points, while Panama is stuck on 18.
The current situation in the CONCACAF qualifiers
The reason why Canada is already in the World Cup is due to the remaining schedule of the other competing teams.
Although Mexico can still overtake them, only one of the United States and Costa Rica are capable of matching them, since both will share points in the last matchday in which they face each other. The “Maple Leafs” have a goal difference of +13 and the Ticos +2, an eleven goal difference that is virtually insurmountable in two games and if they achieve this miracle it would be impossible for the United States to overtake them in goal difference even if they get three points out of the remaining six.
The game in San José was decided by a goal in first half stoppage time by Celso Borges, a vital victory for the Central Americans who have now gone four games without losing.
Panama dropped two points against Honduras
The surprise came in Panama City where the locals tied 1-1 with last-place Honduras. The Canaleros opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a goal by Rolando Blackman, but the Catrachos equalized in the 65th minute through Kevin López.
In addition to the goalless draw between Mexico and the United States, the other match was played by Jamaica and El Salvador, who were already eliminated, tied 1-1.
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