VANCOUVER - Canada's last-dash hopes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia have ended.
Cyle Larin, Nikolas Ledgerwood and David Edgar all scored for the Canadian men's soccer team on Tuesday night in a 3-1 victory over visiting El Salvador. But a 0-0 draw between Honduras and Mexico -- also played Tuesday -- meant Canada finished third in Group A of CONCACAF qualifying.
The Canadians entered their match with El Salvador needing the win, but it also needed to overcome a five-goal differential and for Honduras to lose outright to Mexico. Honduras earned a point in its draw.
Mexico finished atop the group standings, with Honduras in second place and El Salvador in fourth. Both of those nations advance to the next round of qualifying process known as ``the Hex'', while the Canadian side will have to turn its attention toward World Cup aspirations in 2022.
After an anxious opening five minutes for the Canadians, the host team settled in, manufacturing one scoring chance after another.
Larin opened the scoring in the 11th minute, as he converted a shot from inside the 18-yard box to give Canada the early lead. It appeared during the play that the Canadian forward was offside, as the ball bounced fortuitously to his feet and only goalkeeper Oscar Arroyo Pena stood in front of him. But the play was not blown dead and Larin finished his opportunity.
