Canada is on the verge of qualifying for the first World Cup since 1986 after a 2-0 victory over rivals the United States which extended its lead in the CONCACAF group.
John Herdman’s team has been a huge surprise in the CONCACAF qualifiers and looks set to reach only the second men’s World Cup.
While Sunday’s game may not have been a deadline, giving Canada another chance to prove their place in the standings is not just a mistake.
Considered by many as the most exciting CONCACAF team in the qualifiers, Canada reached its peak as it opened the scoring, a sharp and powerful move that concluded that Cyle Larin played a one-two with Jonathan David and shot home.
Weston McKennie’s head just before the break almost restored the balance, but Milan Borjan pushed it into the line.
The United States dropped the men ahead at the end and were caught in the middle of the break, with Samuel Adekugbe holding on to a hopeless puck before pulling a good ending out of the box to spark a thrilling scene in Hamilton.
The victory means Canada can defend their place in the Qatar finals when they travel to El Salvador on Wednesday.
