Canada moves into first place in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifying with 2:1 win over Mexico

Canada are undefeated at the top of the table in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after a 2:1 victory over visiting Mexico at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. The win moved Canada into first place with 16 points from eight matches (4-4-0) ahead of USA (15 points), Mexico (14 points) and Panama (14 points).

Cyle Larin (45’+2 and 52’) scored both goals for Canada, their first over Mexico since the Quarterfinals of the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup and their first against Mexico in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers since 1976. Captain Atiba Hutchinson became the Men’s National Team’s all-time leader with 90 international “A” appearances while Larin tied Dwayne De Rosario for the most international “A” goals (22).

Quotes

“I know when you have to go to Azteca and play at altitude, it’s tough, these road games are really tough, and every country uses their own uniqueness as an advantage,” said Men’s National Team Head Coach John Herdman. “A big thanks to the City of Edmonton. The whole time we’ve been here they’ve made it our fortress.”  

“I’m happy to tie the record and hopefully one day beat it but I wouldn’t be able to do it with my teammates. I’m happy to get there, but, it will be better if we make a World Cup,” said Cyle Larin. “The fans came out for us today and supported us in the cold. We’ve all grown up in this weather, so we’re used to it.”

“Amazing night. Atmosphere in the stadium was electric and the boys went out there and played our hearts out. We left everything on the pitch. We knew how important this match was and we wanted to go out there and make a statement,” said Atiba Hutchinson. “The work ethic that we’ve been putting in, it’s something special. I haven’t seen anything like this. It’s been a long road, I didn’t think I could get to this many games. It’s an amazing accomplishment.”

Highlights: https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1460831470423986176?s=20
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=46765827%40N08&view_all=1&text=20211116

Match Report

Doneil Henry set the tone early with a strong challenge in the first minute as Canada looked to defend their unbeaten run at home. It was a scrappy affair throughout the first half in the below freezing conditions.

Canada’s first opportunity of the match came in the 20’ as Tajon Buchanan shook a couple of tackles and looked to play in Richie Laryea, but the pass was too strong and rolled out of bounds.

In the 22’ Canada benefited from a miscommunication between the Mexican goalkeeper and defender that resulted in a corner kick. A strong punch from keeper Guillermo Ochoa was necessary to keep the score even.

In the 24’, Alistair Johnston slid a pass into the feet of Cyle Larin, who was able to take a touch and get a shot on target, but there was no real power behind the shot and it was easily saved.

Milan Borjan was called into action in the 36’, rushing quickly off his slide to cover the ball to break up a dangerous looking Mexico attack before they could create a shot attempt.

In the 43’, Buchanan took a touch to allow himself to turn towards the net but his ambitious shot from distance went high and wide.

In stoppage time, Johnston stepped up aggressively to win a 50-50 ball and followed his header forward. He then volleyed a rocket of a shot from distance which was saved by Ochoa but not held, and Larin was there to pounce on the rebound to give Canada a 1:0 lead going into halftime (45+2’).

In the 47’, Buchanan cut to the line and attempted to pull a cross back to Davies, but the pass was blocked at the critical moment.

Canada doubled the lead thanks to a second goal by Larin early in the second half. Stephen Eustaquio delivered a perfectly placed free kick from out wide to Larin, who touched it past the Mexican keeper (52’). The goal moved Larin into a tie for most all-time goals scored for the CANMNT.

Mexico’s first shot on target came in the 58’ with a deft little touch by Roberto Alvarado, but Borjan was able to catch it. Alvarado had another chance in the 66’ with a near post run, and his low shot forced Borjan to make a solid save to maintain the clean sheet.

In the 69’, Davies looked like he was off to the races past the defence but Ochoa was able to beat him to the ball to clear it away from danger.

As the match got closer to the end, Mexico continued to put more and more pressure on the Canadians. The visitors were able to make it 2:1 in the 90’ when Hector Herrera headed in a cross from Jesus Corona, beating Borjan at the near post.

This set up a tense final five minutes of the match, as Mexico was able to continuously put good crosses into the Canada penalty area and get chances. In the 90+3’, Borjan made a heroic diving save right on the goal line to keep the lead intact and help Canada secure the three points.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
Canada has built plenty of momentum in a landmark year for the Men’s National Team Program that will feature a record 19 international matches including FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada have already played 17 of those 19 matches, posting a record of 11-4-2 with eight clean sheets and a record 52 goals scored. Canada also set a record with eight consecutive wins and reached the Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals for the first time since 2007.

Canada will play eight of their 14 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the Concacaf Final Round from September through November 2021: three matches in September, three matches in October, and two matches in November. In 2022, Canada will play three more matches in January/February and three more matches in March. Along with Honduras, USA and El Salvador, Canada’s other opponents in the Concacaf Final Round are Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama.

To reach the Concacaf Final Round, Canada won their First Round group against Aruba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Suriname, then eliminated Haiti in a head-to-head Second Round series. This marks the first time since 1997 that Canada have reached the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. From the Concacaf Final Round of eight nations, the top-three nations automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the fourth-best nation advance to an inter-continental playoff for additional FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™Qualifiers.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are two-time Concacaf champions, previously winning the 1985 Concacaf Championship and 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. This year marked Canada’s 15th participation at the Concacaf Gold Cup since 1991. Along with their first-place finish in 2000, Canada reached the Semifinals in 2002, 2007, and 2021. Across the past five years from 2017 to 2021, Canada are one of only four nations that finished top-six across all four Concacaf major tournaments: fifth place in Concacaf Nations League A, sixth place at both the 2017 and 2019 Concacaf Gold Cups, and a semi-final finish at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.