Football
ESPN staff 8y

Mexico and Honduras advance after dull draw; U.S. routs T&T to win group

With a place in the Hexagonal already secure, Mexico played out a dull draw versus Honduras, who also booked passage to the six-team playoff to see who will represent CONCACAF at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Juan Carlos Osorio's team had some nervous moments in its previous match against El Salvador, but ultimately turned out 3-1 winners to solidify first place in Group C.

Jozy Altidore scored twice as the United States beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 to win Group C in CONCACAF qualifying and advance to the Hexagonal round.

Sacha Kljestan opened the scoring for the U.S. just before half-time, and Christian Pulisic became the youngest player to start a WCQ for the U.S.

Altidore's second-half brace put the team comfortably in front before Paul Arriola added a fourth goal for the U.S. from a Pulisic rebound.

The United States begins play in the Hexagonal on Nov. 11 when they host CONCACAF rivals Mexico.

Costa Rica locked up the top spot in Group B, beating second-place Panama 3-1 with both teams headed for the Hexagonal round of qualifying.

Christian Bolanos scored in the 19th and 80th minutes to put hosts Costa Rica up 2-0 before teammate Ronald Matarrita added the team's third to make it 3-0.

Luis Tejada pulled one back in the 90th minute for Panama, but there chances of winning were long gone by then.

Panama will travel to Honduras for its opening Hex match, while Los Ticos will make the trip Trinidad and Tobago to open the Hex.

In a match marred by an alleged match-fixing scandal. Canada beat El Salvador 3-1, but the draw between Honduras and Mexico meant they couldn't overtake second place in Group A.

Cyle Larin put the host country up early with an 11th minute goal. followed by an early second-half strike from Nikolas Ledgerwood to pad the lead.

El Salvador clawed one back in the 78th minute through Nelson Bonilla, but David Edgar scored for Canada in injury time to secure the final scoreline.

Carlos Ruiz scored five goals as Guatemala beat St. Vincent and the Grenadines 9-3.

The Guatemalans only hope of making the Hexagonal was to overcome a 12-goal differential with the U.S. which would have to be accompanied by a loss for the Americans. 

The effort was in vain, however, as Walter Claveri's team saw its hopes of a trip to Russia end.

Haiti beat Jamaica 2-0 in another match where pride was all that was left at stake. 

Kevin Piere Lafrance and Duckens Nazon scored second-half goals for the visitors to earn all three points from the Reggae Boyz.

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