MIAMI.- While November’s FIFA window gave us the only month during the final round of World Cup qualification in the Concacaf region in which each team played two matches rather than three, there still was more than enough action for fans to analyze, dissect and enjoy.
There were a number of historic results as teams closed out the calendar year trying to get into the best position possible with only six matches now remaining until the teams heading to Qatar start packing their bags.
The bad news is we now have to wait until 2022 for the next matches in World Cup qualification. The good news is we have some amazing moments to look back on and remember until then.
Here are five of the most memorable moments from the November matches in qualification:
1. Canada breaks decades-long duck vs. Mexico
Entering Tuesday, the last time Canada had beaten Mexico was on the way to the 2000 Gold Cup title, needing extra time but beating El Tricolor 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
A Cyle Larin double in a frigid Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton lifted Canada to a win by the same scoreline, the first time since 1976 that Canada enjoyed a World Cup qualification win against Mexico.
The win snapped a 16-match Mexico undefeated streak in World Cup qualification matches between the two nations.
It also kept Canada undefeated in World Cup qualification in this cycle and lifted manager John Herdman’s squad to first place in the qualification standings with 16 points. It is the first time that Canada sit atop the standings in the Final Round of Concacaf WCQ since Matchday 3 of the qualifying cycle for USA 1994.
2. Panama’s persistence pays off with historic rally
As the clock ticked into the 75th minute on Friday at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, the scoreboard still showed Honduras ahead of Panama, 2-0. It took less than 10 minutes for the visitors to reverse that, scoring a flurry of goals to come away with a 3-2 win.
First, it was a header from Cecilio Waterman in the 77th minute, with Cesar Yanis adding a goal of his own in the 81st minute and then an Eric Davis free kick capping the rally in the 85th minute.
It was the first time in a final round World Cup qualification match that a team that had been trailing by two goals away from home was able to rally and nab all three points.
Panama’s persistence was on display again on Tuesday, as they came back from an early goal to win 2-1 against El Salvador and keep its position in fourth place, which would be good enough to send the 2018 World Cup participants to the intercontinental playoff.
3. Henriquez wastes no time in finding back of net
Managers always ask players to be focused from the time the referee blows the whistle, and El Salvador winger Jairo Henriquez was no doubt locked in from the start of Tuesday’s La Selecta match against Panama.
Panama kicked off at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez, with the ball finding the feet of center back Andres Andrade. The typically sure defender took a slip on the wet surface on a rainy night and sent a pass he meant for his teammate right to Henriquez’s feet.
That was all the invitation the Aguila attacker needed, driving forward with the ball and smashing a shot onto the underside of the crossbar and in with the clock still reading fewer than 15 seconds elapsed.
While Panama was able to fight back for a 2-1 victory, Henriquez put his name in the record books with one of the fastest goals from kickoff in Concacaf World Cup qualification history.
4. Torres goal gives Costa Rica win, life ahead of new year
Costa Rica and Honduras went into the halftime locker rooms tied 1-1 after a header from Oscar Duarte put the Ticos up in minute 20, followed by Romell Quioto drawing Los Catrachos level in the 35th minute.
The countries’ star goalkeepers made their presences felt in the second half, with Costa Rica GK Keylor Navas and Honduras GK Luis “Buba” Lopez unbeatable in the second 45. That is, until the final moments of the contest.
Joel Campbell, who assisted Duarte’s first from a corner kick, chipped a ball into the box in the 95th minute looking for substitute Johan Venegas. Rather than whipping a header toward Lopez, Venegas played a pass for teammate Gerson Torres.
His fellow substitute was in a good position to angle a header into the goal, giving Costa Rica its second win of qualification and the first since a 2-1 home win against El Salvador on Oct. 10.
The three points keeps Costa Rica on the heels of Panama, sitting five points off the playoff places.
5. U.S. down rivals Mexico for third time in 2021
After losing to Mexico at home in the 2018 World Cup qualification cycle, the stakes were high for the United States against El Tricolor this time around. At TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, after five cycles taking place in nearby Columbus, Ohio, the atmosphere was still vibrant as the U.S. sought a third win in 2021 over their long-time rivals after triumphs in the Concacaf Nations League Final and the Concacaf Gold Cup Final.
Christian Pulisic came in as a second half substitute and headed in a cross from Timothy Weah to open the scoring in the 74th minute, while in the 84th minute Weston McKennie added a second, giving the U.S. the famous 2-0 scoreline that fans love to chant.
With both teams currently in the top three, good enough to automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup, there will no doubt still be plenty on the line when the North American rivals meet again on March 24 in Mexico, where the U.S. has never won a World Cup qualification game.
