Mexico Defeats Canada 2-0, Qualifies For CONCACAF Finals

Andres Guardado and Jesus Corona scored one goal each to lead Mexico to a 2-0 victory over Canada in Tuesday night’s Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifying game in Mexico City. Following the win, Mexico is now the first nation to clinch a berth in the six-nation final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region CONCACAF Tournament.

Mexico Defeats Canada 2-0, Qualifies For CONCACAF Finals

Guardado scored on a penalty kick in the 17th minute, and Corona in the 45th. Mexico is now in the Hexagonal round in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Mexico (4-0), who is pursuing their seventh straight World Cup berth, currently leads Group A with 12 points, followed by Canada and Honduras (both 1-2-1) and El Salvador (0-2-2). The Mexican National Team has now won five straight games, including a 3-0 win over Canada in Vancouver on Friday. Canada has not played in the World Cup since 1986.

“We’re very happy we are having a healthy qualifying round so far,” said Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who made five changes to his starting lineup. “Today it was a chance to see some of the younger players. We are trying to improve our chances to achieve major goals.” Osorio has clearly shown that 4-3-3 is his favorite formation.

Mexico will next play at El Salvador on Sept. 2, the same day Honduras hosts Canada. The round will end four days later, when Canada hosts El Salvador and Mexico hosts Honduras.

“I’ve said it before, that a win is not necessarily a victory in a match but to have the intention to do it. From the first second in Vancouver until the last one in Mexico City we did it,” Canadian coach Benito Floro said. “Unfortunately we are playing in a group with a rival that it’s above all. Now there will be a fight between three for one spot”.

Caption: VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 25: Paul Aguilar #22 of Mexico and David Junior Hoilett #10 of Canada battle for the ball during FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier soccer action at BC Place on March 25, 2016 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)