With their ticket to the World Cup already in hand, the Canadian men’s soccer team lost the flag 1-0 to Panama on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop them from finishing atop the standings. CONCACAF.
Canada and Mexico (both 8-2-4, 28 points) and the United States (7-3-4, 25 points) qualified for the World Cup.
Costa Rica (7-3-4, 25 points) takes fourth place given its lower goal differential than that of the Americans and will have to go through a one-night play-off against a team from the Oceania zone.
The Panamanians (6-5-3, 21 points) were the first to register. In the 49th minute, after a first half with no real chance on either side, a quick counter-attack allowed José Luis Rodríguez to create a two-on-two scenario. His precise cross landed on the foot of Gabriel Torres who instantly redirected the ball into the top corner.
It was the action that acted as a catalyst for what followed.
In the 58th minute, CF Montreal defender Alistair Johnston stood out with a drop in extremis which he finished with an accurate sliding tackle that saved Canada from a three-on-one situation.
Moments later, Cyle Larin – who entered the fray a few minutes earlier – found Jonathan David in the box, but David’s shot went straight for the opposing goalkeeper.
Larin thought he tied the game with a diving header in the 80th minute. Although the ball rattled the ropes, the video replay canceled the goal as Larin found himself in an offside situation.
Canada again lacked lucidity in the last third, this time just before stoppage time. Iké Ugbo’s cross passed in front of the feet of three of his Canadian teammates without any of them touching him.
The maple leaf confirmed its place in the World Cup on Sunday with a 4-0 victory over Jamaica. Only Tajon Buchanan, Jonthan David, Sam Adekugbe and Stephen Eustáquio have regained their place in the starting lineup.
Two Quebecers were part of John Herdman’s redesigned starting XI. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau as well as young star Ismaël Koné – who experienced a first tenure with the Canadian selection – took part in the meeting.
Crépeau had to shine on several occasions, parrying an olimpico attempt – a shot directly from the corner kick – as well as other key saves including one on a breakaway.
Jonathan Osorio replaced Koné in midfield to start the second half.
In other CONCACAF fixtures, El Salvador lost 2-0 to Mexico, Honduras lost 2-1 to Jamaica and USA lost 2-0 in Costa Rica.
The maple leaf, which ranks 33rd in the world, missed an opportunity to break into the top-30 in the world, which would have had an influence on its group at Worlds. With a victory, Herdman’s troops would have placed themselves in the third hat.
The draw for the World Cup groups will take place on Friday. The nations are divided into four hats according to the FIFA ranking. Pot one will feature hosts Qatar and the seven highest-ranked qualifiers, continuing through to pot four, Canada, which will feature the lowest-ranked qualifiers as well as the two play-off winners intercontinental matches and the remaining winner of the UEFA qualifiers (Europe). One team per hat will be selected from each group.