🌎 Pulisic stars as USA hammer Panama; Mexico earn vital win in Honduras | OneFootball

Mexico and the USA both took huge strides towards World Cup qualification on Sunday.

Here’s what happened.

Hat-trick hero Pulisic helps USA all but quarantee spot in Qatar

Scorers: Pulisic PEN 17′, PEN 45+4′, 65′, Arriola 23′, Ferreira 26′; Godoy 86′

A Christian Pulisic hat-trick performance propelled the USA to victory over Panama.

The Chelsea attacker opened the scoring as he hammered home a spot kick after a VAR review adjudged Aníbal Godoy had clearly impeded Walker Zimmerman in the area.

Pulisic was involved in the second as he got the ball to Antonee Robinson who whipped in a superb cross that Paul Arriola rose to glance past goalkeeper Luis Mejía. Arriola then turned provider as his blocked shot fell perfectly for Jesus Ferreira to finish from close range.

Pulisic converted his second penalty of the first half in stoppage time after Panama skipper Godoy was punished again, this time for his contact on Michael Robinson’s face.

And the American captain completed his first hat-trick at senior international level in the second half with a moment of individual brilliance.

Godoy atoned somewhat with a late consolation, but it didn’t change the fact that Panama will now definitely miss the 2022 World Cup.

The Stars and Stripes, though, are now guaranteed at least a play-off, and will secure their automatic spot in Qatar if they avoid a six-goal defeat against Costa Rica on Wednesday.

Álvarez plays captain’s role as Mexico narrowly defeat Honduras

Scorers: Álvarez 70′

Mexico struggled to get the better of hosts Honduras in San Pedro Sula in a game played behind closed doors as a result of crowd disturbances during January’s clash with El Salvador.

The crucial breakthrough finally came with just 20 minutes remaining when El Tri captain Edson Álvarez connected with Héctor Herrera’s corner to head home from six yards.

Manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino missed the game due to issues relating to eye surgery he had in February.

He is expected to be back in the dugout for Wednesday’s clash against El Salvador at the Estadio Azteca, where a point will copper-fasten Mexico’s place at the World Cup later this year.

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