Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis played a part in both goals for Honduras as they recorded a crucial 2-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup qualifying on Friday night.
In the seventh minute, Elis hounded the T&T goalkeeper into losing possession of a loose ball. His blocked shot landed right at the feet of former Dynamo midfielder Alexander López, who blasted a shot from the edge of the penalty area off the underside of the crossbar and in.
Elis doubled the score in the 16th minute, as Dynamo teammate Romell Quioto worked his defender on the left wing and sent a cross the middle of the box. La Panterita checked towards the penalty spot and placed a first-time shot past the goalkeeper. Both teams would finish with 10 men. Quioto went the full 90 minutes for Honduras, Elis subbed out after 69 minutes, and midfielder Boniek García played the final 12 minutes to seal the win.
The win puts Honduras (2-3-2, 8 points) level with the United States (2-3-2, 8 points) for third place in the Hex after the U.S. fell 2-0 to Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena. DaMarcus Beasley was an unused sub in that match. The two teams will square off in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Tuesday (4:30 p.m. CT | beIN Sports, NBC Universo).
In Mexico City, El Tri clinched their spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with a 1-0 win over Adolfo Machado and Panama. Machado played the full 90 minutes. Panama (1-2-4, 7 points) now hosts Trinidad & Tobago in Panama City on Tuesday, one point behind the U.S. and Honduras for the final qualification spots.
