Canada won 2-0 after enduring constant pressure from U.S and cemented his position as the surprising leader of the octagonal final of the Concacaf qualifiers by Qatar World Cup 2022.
The victory against the United States keeps Canada as the only team that has not lost a game in the octagonal and marks the fifth consecutive victory for the Canadian team, which now has 22 points to 18 for the United States.
On a frozen pitch, Hamilton has been in constant sub-zero temperatures for the past few weeks and the game was played with the thermometer reading -6C, Canada were able to convert their few chances against Matt Turner’s goal while thwarting the constant pressure from the United States.
The first goal came early for the Canadians, before the American defense could settle on the field. Six minutes into the game, Cyle Larin received a ball in the United States’ midfield. He quickly passed it to Jonathan David who passed it back to the Canadian striker as he sped past his defenders.
Pursued by four defenders, Larin leaned slightly to the right and fired hard from the penalty spot towards Turner’s right post, who despite the stretch was unable to do anything to make the ball end up in the back of the net. .
After the early goal, the United States went on the attack while the Canadians were content to contain the waves of white players.
Down the left wing, Christian Pulsic was the Americans’ most dangerous player.
It was precisely a corner kick taken by Pulsic shortly before the break, which Weston Mckennie finished off with force, the best chance for the USA in the first half.
But veteran Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan touched the ball long enough to deflect it at the last minute. After touching Borjan’s right hand, the ball went off the crossbar, sending the ball away to the right of the box.
Canadian Cyle Larin celebrates his goal against the United States
After the break, the Americans tried everything. In the 69th minute, frustrated with Canadian resistance, United States coach Gregg Berhalter made a three-point switch to freshen up his attack.
Berhalter took Tyler Adams, Gyasi Zardes and Brenden Aaronson off the field. But the entry of the soda men only upset America’s lines.
A minute into the substitutions, the Canadians got their first big chance of the second half. Jonathan David took a ball a few meters from the edge of the box and hit a hard shot that Turner could not hold.
The rebound reached the feet of Larin who shot from close range but Turner, from the ground, again blocked the shot, avoiding the goal.
The frustration of the Americans continued to mount and resulted in a rough game from which Canada ultimately benefited.
In the stoppage time, a ball from the Canadian defense was caught by Samuel Adekugbe in the middle of the field. Adekugbe got past his defender and charged down the middle of the pitch at Turner.
As the clock neared the 95th minute, Adekugbe fired from the edge of the box to the right of Turner who was powerless to put Canada up their second goal on the scoreboard.
DATA SHEET
Canada-USA 2-0
2 – Canada: Milan Borján; Alistair Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Kamal Miller; Tajon Buchanan, Mark-Anthony Kaye (d. 58, Liam Fraser), Richie Laryea, Samuel Adekugbe; Cyle Larin (d. 73, Junior Hoilett), Jonathan David (d. 84, Ike Ugbo), Jonathan Osorio.
Coach: John Herdman
0 – United States: Matt Turner; Segiño Dest (d. 76, Reggie Cannon), Miles Robinson, Christopher Richards, Antonee Robinson; Brenden Aaronson (d. 69, Jordan Morris), Tyler Adams (d. 69, Kellyn Acosta), Weston Mckennie; Yunus Musah (d. 76, Paul Arriola), Gyasi Zardes (d. 69, Ricardo Pepi), Christian Pulsic.
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
Goals: 1-0, Cyle Larin (d. 7); 2-0, Samuel Adekugbe (d. 90+5)
Referee: The Mexican César Ramos admonished Steven Vitória (m. 31) and Tajon Buchanan (m. 87) from Canada.
Incidents: Match of the third round of the octagonal Concacaf qualifier for the Qatar 2022 World Cup that was played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton (Canada) before 12,000 spectators
