Mexico's Diego Reyes (pictured) celebrates after scoring against host Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifier on March 28, 2017, in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: John Bacon/Straffon Images)
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago – Mexico (3W-1D-0L, 10 points) remained on course for a berth at Russia 2018 with a 1-0 win over host Trinidad & Tobago (1-0-3, 3) in a CONCACAF final round qualifier on Tuesday.
Diego Reyes struck for the only goal in the second half, meaning that the Tricolor will finish the evening atop the six-team table regardless of the Panama-USA result later in the evening. T&T is in the last place and won’t have another opportunity to climb the ladder until the schedule resumes in June.
Fans at Hasely Crawford Stadium reveled in the 32nd minute, when T&T’s Joevin Jones fired the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards. The celebrations were cut short, however, after the goal was disallowed for offside.
A right-footed blast from outside the box by Hector Herrera nearly gave Mexico the lead two minutes into the second half, but the ball ricocheted off the right post.
That miss led to Reyes’ first-ever international goal in the 58th minute. Miguel Layun delivered an out-swinging corner kick from the right that the 24-year-old center back headed home authoritatively off the lifted left hand of goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams.
Mexico is only unbeaten team in CONCACAF qualifying with an overall record of 8-2-0, while T&T was shutout for third time in its last five WCQ outings.
Next Up in WCQ…
Mexico: June 8, 2017 – home v Honduras
Trinidad & Tobago: June 8, 2017 – away v USA
