Canada beats Mexico 2-1 in FIFA World Cup qualifying

Cyle Larin (Klinsmann2011, Wikimedia Commons)

In what many could have considered a Canadian winter spectacle, Team Canada came through with a 2-1 win over Mexico on Tuesday in 2022 World Cup qualifying from Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. Team Canada got two key goals from Besiktas striker Cyle Larin of Brampton, Ontario, and a miraculous save by Milan Borjan of Hamilton, Ontario to improve to a record of four wins and four draws for 16 points.

Larin’s goals came in the second minute of extra time in the first half, and the 52nd minute. After Canada went up 2-0, many of the players celebrated in a snowbank. The Mexicans meanwhile got a goal in the 90th minute off the boot of Hector Herrera. Then Mexico nearly scored again in the extra time of the second half, before Borjan made a save for the ages to prevent Mexico from tying the game at two goals apiece.

With the win, Canada is in first place in CONCACAF qualifying. They have one more point than the United States, two more points than Mexico and Panama, and seven more points than fifth place Costa Rica. The top three teams in the group automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the fourth place team will play in an interconfederation playoff.

Latin now has 22 goals for Canada. That is now tied with Dwayne De Rosario of Scarborough, Ontario for the most goals all-time for Canada in international contests.

 

Written by 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *