Captain Atiba Hutchinson scored a bizarre goal but still helped Canada shut out El Salvador 2-0 on Wednesday night in 2022 World Cup qualifying.
Jonathan David added the insurance goal in stoppage time in the second half as Canada secured their sixth consecutive victory in Concacaf qualifying.
El Salvador made it difficult for the Canadian men’s soccer team, playing a physical game at Estadio Cuscatlan.
The winning goal came in the 66th minute, when substitute player Cyle Larin broke away from a defender to cross in the direction of Hutchinson. The latter redirected the ball with a header, which touched the post, the foot of defender Eriq Zavaleta and the body of Hutchinson before thwarting goalkeeper Kevin Carabantes.
The Salvadorans didn’t take a shot before second half stoppage time. Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan fended off a long ball that could have ended up in the back of the net.
David, on a solo counterattack, then doubled the Canadians’ lead in the 93rd minute, when he lobbed the ball over Carabantes.
This result allowed Canada to obtain the maximum of nine points during this recent international window. He had recorded two 2-0 victories, against Honduras and the United States.
The Canadian players entered the game knowing that a victory, combined with several favorable results, could have given them qualification for Qatar. In this scenario, the United States notably had to lose against Honduras, but they triumphed 3-0.
Canada will complete the qualifying round by taking on Costa Rica on March 23, Jamaica on March 26 and Panama on March 29. Canada (7-0-4, 25 points) sits atop the eight-team standings in the final round of Concacaf qualifying. The United States (6-2-3, 21 points) follows while Mexico (5-2-3, 18 points) is third.
The top three countries will represent North America, Central America and the Caribbean in Qatar. The fourth-tier nation will face a team from Oceania in an intercontinental playoff match that will decide who joins the other three nations.
Wednesday’s results ensure Canada can’t finish lower than fourth.