Canada got the job done in difficult Central American conditions to advance to the next CONCACAF round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers. The Canadian team won their two-match, total goals series 4-1 over Belize, winning 3:0 on Friday at home in Toronto and then drawing 1:1 on Tuesday on the road in Belmopán.

Canada dominated possession on the short, bumpy surface at FFB Stadium, but the capacity crowd of 1,800 inspired the home team on each of the opportunities they were given. Dangerous striker Deon McCaulay scored for Belize in the 26th minute, but then Will Johnson countered for Canada in the 45th minute.

"We kept the ball as much as possible because Belize have a good counter attack and a dangerous player," said Canadian coach Benito Floro of Belize and their no. 9, McCaulay.

"We knew on this pitch they were going to play well. The match was very difficult."

Canada played very well for much of the match, although the loaded Belize defence was at times difficult to break down. Issey Nakajima-Farran had the first good chance on an early header, while a later combination between Cyle Larin and Tosaint Ricketts was headed just wide.

Canada continued their attack and came close again on a Samuel Piette cross headed wide by Will Johnson. Then it was the Larin-Ricketts combination again, with this time Rickett's touch glancing just wide.

Then in the 26th minute, however, McCaulay opened the scoring with a right-footed blast. Canada's goal kick was intercepted by Daniel Jiménez, who volleyed it forward to Harrison Roches. Moving straight up the middle, Roches dished the ball wide to McCaulay who fired it past goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

From there, Belize created more opportunities as they rose to the cheers of the home crowd. On one missed clearance that came back to McCaulay, Borjan was forced to make a good save on the left-footed shot.

Late in the first half, however, Canada took their chance after a deep throw down the right side. With the Belize goalkeeper still sorting out his defence, Nik Ledgerwood lofted his throw to Cyle Larin inside the box. Larin had the ball at his feet for a few moments, but the ball spilled to the top of the box where Johnson, willing and ready, fired a low, deflected shot into the bottom left corner past the diving goalkeeper Shane Moody-Orio.

In the second half, Canada patiently hogged possession, often just moving the ball back and forth between the goalkeeper and the 10 outfield players. Canada also won several free kicks and their footwork often put the Belize defence on their back heel.

Larin had another good chance inside the box while Marcel de Jong had a low free kick saved by Moody-Orio. At the other end, McCauley continued to create chances any time the ball was at his feet.

From inside the 4-1 series win, Canada carried three yellow cards into the next round, with Tosaint Ricketts booked on Friday and both Marcel de Jong and David Edgar booked on Tuesday. Puerto Rico referee Javier Santos also booked Andrés Makin, Daniel Jiménez and Trevor Lennon in the Tuesday match.

Canada's starting XI featured Milan Borjan in goal, Nik Ledgerwood at right back, David Edgar and Adam Straith at centre back, Marcel de Jong at left back, and Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson, Samuel Piette, Tosaint Ricketts, Issey Nakajima-Farran, and Cyle Larin from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Benito Floro replaced Nakajima-Farran with Tesho Akindele (56'), de Jong with Karl W. Ouimette (75'), and Ledgerwood with debutant Samuel Adekugbe (83'). After the last switch, Adekugbe took to left back and Ouimette switched to right back.

Belize's starting XI featured Shane Moody-Orio (goal), Elroy Smith, Ian Gaynair, Dalton Eiley, Trevor Lennen, Andrés Malkin, Denmark Casey, Elroy Kuylen, Harrison Roches, Daniel Jiménez, and man-of-the-match Deon McCaulay.

In the second half, coach Jorge Nuñez replaced Makin with Jarett Davis (68'), Roches with Evan Mariano (68'), and Kuylen with Devon Makin (75').