Qualification for next year's FIFA World Cup via CONCACAF concluded on Tuesday with three games.
At Panama City, Panama:
Stoppage-time goals from Graham Zusi (90'+2) and Aron Johannsson (90'+3) lifted the United States to a come-from-behind 3-2 win on the road over Panama, delivering the knockout blow to the Canal Men's hopes of playing New Zealand in a two-match playoff for what would have been their first World Cup Finals appearance.
At San Jose, Costa Rica:
Alvaro Saborio scored the winning goal in the 64th minute as Costa Rica defeated visiting Mexico 2-1. Because of Team USA's last-minute comeback win over Panama, though, El Tri remained alive as they will take part in a two-match home-and-away playoff against New Zealand for a berth in Brazil.
At Kingston, Jamaica:
Goals from Carlo Costly (1') and Maynor Figueroa (33') carried Honduras to a 2-2 road draw in Jamaica, good enough for the Catrachos to lock up a second straight appearance (and third overall) in the World Cup Finals.
FINAL HEXAGONAL ROUND STANDINGS:
1. United States (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 22)
2. Costa Rica (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 18)
3. Honduras (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 15)
4. Mexico (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 11)
5. Panama (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 8)
6. Jamaica (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 5)
The United States, Costa Rica, and Honduras clinched berths in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil. Mexico will play a two-game home-and-away playoff series with New Zealand, with the first match to be played on November 13 or 14 at Mexico City and the return contest to be played on November 20 at Wellington, New Zealand. The winner of that series will head for Brazil.
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