CONCACAF World Cup qualifying wrap: Honduras blast Canada

17 October 2012 05:21

Honduras progressed to the final phase of World Cup qualifying after condemning Canada to an embarrassing 8-1 defeat on Tuesday.

Jerry Bengtson and Carlos Costly scored hat-tricks for Honduras, Mario Martinez chipped in with a brace for the hosts, while Iain Hume netted Canada's only goal of the game.

The result empathically ensures Honduras advances to the next round along with Panama, who were held to a 1-1 draw in Cuba.

Canada, however, narrowly misses out after finishing third in Group C, just a point adrift of the top two nations.

The United States also advanced with a 3-1 win over Guatemala.

Trailing 1-0 after five minutes, Carlos Bocanegra restored parity and Tottenham attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey scored twice before the half-time break as Jurgen Klinsmann's side topped Group A.

The Americans, who appeared to be on the verge of elimination following a shocking loss to Jamaica last month, finished the round with 13 points after winning four games, drawing once and losing once.

Jamaica will join the US in the next round after they beat Antigua and Barbuda 4-1.

In Group B, Costa Rica thrashed 10-man Guyana 7-0 and booked a spot in the next round as El Salvador were beaten in Mexico.

Costa Rica, who needed victory to ensure they advanced ahead of El Salvador, went in to the break with a 2-0 lead following goals from Randall Brenes and Cristian Gamboa.

Brenes added a second three minutes into the second-half before Guyana's Walter Moore received his marching orders on 50 minutes.

Alvaro Saborio converted the resulting spot-kick, Christian Bolanos and Celso Borges heaped further misery on the visitors before Saborio completed his brace and the rout on 77 minutes.

The Costa Ricans finished only a point ahead of El Salvador in second position.

Mexico, meanwhile, capped off the third stage of qualifying with a comfortable 2-0 win over El Salvador.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Oribe Peralta and Javier Hernandez found themselves on the scoresheet as Mexico cruised through the group with six-wins-from-six games.