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VIDEO: SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Hector Moreno scored in the 82nd minute, lifting Mexico to a 2-1 win over El Salvador on Tuesday and moving it alone atop Group B in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Mexico, which defeated Guyana at Estadio Azteca Friday night, improved to six points, two ahead of Costa Rica. El Salvador, which rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to tie the Ticos on Friday, is third in the four-team group with one point.
Moreno latched onto Edgar Andrade's long free kick from near the touchline that bounced through traffic into the penalty area. El Salvador goalkeeper Benji Villalobos blocked Moreno's first header from six meters, but the ball caromed back to the RCD Espanyol defender, who guided it into the empty net.
El Tri took the lead in the 60th minute when Jesus Zavala was played behind the defense, took two touches and beat Villalobos from 16 meters.
El Salvador equalized five minutes later when defender Alfredo Pacheco put his low, 22-meter free kick around the Mexican wall and past Jesus Corona to the goalkeeper's right, sending the rabid home fans into hysterics.
"Los Cuscatlecos" had the first dangerous set piece when Jaime Alas was tripped by Carlos Salcido three meters outside the corner of the penalty area. But Alfredo Pacheco didn't threaten Corona with his free kick.
Mexico's lone scoring chance in the opening 45 minutes came in the 20th minute when Pablo Barrera burst through the heart of the Salvadoran defense, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner kick.
Moreno had Mexico's first scoring chance of the second half, but his header off a corner in the 56th minute was wide of the target.
In the 75th minute, Isidro Gutierrez made an ambitious charge toward goal, but his low shot from distance bounced wide to the left of Corona.
One minute later, El Salvador had a dangerous corner, but Corona did well to come off his line to grab the ball and quickly start a counterattack for El Tri.
Moments later, Zavala had an opportunity inside the box, but it was blocked by a Salvadoran defender. Barrera pounced on the rebound, but his shot was off the mark.
Both teams resume qualifying on September 7 with Mexico heading to Costa Rica and El Salvador hosting Guyana.
