Canada Stun US To Close In On World Cup Berth

Canada took a giant step towards their first World Cup qualification in 36 years on Sunday after scoring an upset 2-0 victory over arch-rivals the United States in CONCACAF qualifiers. A Cyle Larin goal after just seven minutes and an injury time effort from Sam Adekugbe secured all three points for the Canadians at a frigid Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton to extend the home side's lead at the top of the CONCACAF standings. The unbeaten Canadians now have 22 points from four games with four fixtures remaining, pulling four points clear of the USA who are second with 18 points.

Canada have emerged as the surprise package from the Central America, North America and the Caribbean qualifying region, and are now firmly on course for only their second trip to the World Cup after reaching the Mexico finals in 1986.

"We're turning into a football country," Canada's jubilant English coach John Herdman said afterwards.

"(The USA) are a great team, a very good team, they had great quality today. But we matched their spirit.

"And that's what I said to our lads – we've got our own quality, and it came through."

Goalscorer Larin admitted a World Cup berth was within reach.

"We're almost there," he said. "But we never settle for anything. We'll keep pushing."

Mexico are third in the standings level with the USA on 18 points after drawing 0-0 with Costa Rica in Mexico City on Sunday.

The top three sides in the eight-team round-robin table qualify automatically for this year's finals in Qatar.

'Result hurts'

But the defeat piles pressure on USA coach Gregg Berhalter, whose team face Honduras at home on Wednesday before a tricky final three games in March which includes away trips to Mexico and Costa Rica and a home game against Panama.

"It