Panama and Houston Dynamo defender Adolfo Machado booked their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with controversial 2-1 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday night. Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto scored for Honduras for a 3-2 win over Mexico to send them to a playoff series against Australia, while a 2-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago means the United States misses the World Cup for the first time since 1996.
Machado played 90 minutes in Panama's clinching win. After going down 1-0, Panama was awarded a goal during a goal line scramble involving Blas Perez. Replays seemed to indicate the ball never crossed the goal line. Roman Torres scored in the 88th minute to secure Los Canaleros' spot in Russia.
Honduras also went down a goal in their match against Mexico, but a header from Alberth Elis tied things up before half. Mexico would score again, but Elis found Eddie Hernandez at the penalty spot for a shot that hit off the crossbar, off the head of Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, and in the back of the net. Romell Quioto turned his defender and found the lower corner in the 60th minute for the winning goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOAL!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 11, 2017
IT'S ABSOLUTE MADNESS! @FenafuthOrg LEAD 3-2!#WCQ2018#HONMEXpic.twitter.com/17mOlCzWtA
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! LOOK AWAY NOW @ussoccer! @FenafuthOrg all level at 1-1 with @miseleccionmx through Ellis! #WCQ2018#HONMEXpic.twitter.com/Lk6jcMret3
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 11, 2017
Honduras will face Australia in an inter-confederation playoff for a World Cup spot. The nations will play in Honduras on November 6, and in Sydney on November 14 with the aggregate winner advancing to Russia.
The United States went down two goals in the first half to Trinidad & Tobago, but Christian Pulisic scored to start to the second half to give the U.S. life. Even with the loss, the U.S. would have advanced to at least the playoff had Panama not scored their late winner. However, the U.S. finished fifth in the Hex and thus will miss the World Cup for the first time since 1996.
