It's been yonks since we've been in North America. Here's a reminder of how Round 4 went:
The three big teams all got through, but below that it was more varied. Most notably, Suriname - who started life in the first round of qualifying - have battled all the way through to this final round. Surely they can't get through to the finals?
The top three teams automatically qualify for the DWC finals, whilst the team in fourth go into the Intercontinental play-offs, becoming the first team confirmed for that. So let's go!
Matchday 1
The tastiest opening game was that between Canada and Mexico. It was Mexico who took the lead, through Rodolfo Pizarro's rebound, but Saphir Taider's headed earned a 1-1 draw. USA meanwhile went two ahead of Jamaica through Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Leonardo Jara, and held on to win 2-1 despite Vishinul Harris' goal back. Meanwhile an Eddie Hernández brace saw Honduras beat Suriname 2-0.
The top three teams automatically qualify for the DWC finals, whilst the team in fourth go into the Intercontinental play-offs, becoming the first team confirmed for that. So let's go!
Matchday 1
The tastiest opening game was that between Canada and Mexico. It was Mexico who took the lead, through Rodolfo Pizarro's rebound, but Saphir Taider's headed earned a 1-1 draw. USA meanwhile went two ahead of Jamaica through Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Leonardo Jara, and held on to win 2-1 despite Vishinul Harris' goal back. Meanwhile an Eddie Hernández brace saw Honduras beat Suriname 2-0.
Matchday 2
Pizarro was Mexico's star, grabbing a brace as his side beat Jamaica 3-0. Carlos Vela also got two goals as he helped USA lead Honduras by the same scoreline. However, goals from Hernández and Matías Garrido pulled Honduras back to within one, but USA held on for a 3-2 win. But the biggest story came in Paramaribo, as Suriname came from behind to get level with Canada, before a late defensive mix-up allowed the hosts' Ludcinio Marengo to poke in for a dramatic 2-1 win.
Matchday 3
Suriname couldn't back that win up, as they lost 2-0 to Jamaica, giving their opponents their first points of the campaign. This left one team without a win - surprisingly, it was Canada, the only team to win all 6 games in Round 4. And they moved bottom of the table as they could only draw 1-1 with Honduras, only getting a point thanks to Brayan Beckeles' absurd own goal. The big clash was between the continent's two biggest sides, and USA continued their perfect start as Gonzalo Martínez scored two and set up another in a 3-0 win.
Pizarro was Mexico's star, grabbing a brace as his side beat Jamaica 3-0. Carlos Vela also got two goals as he helped USA lead Honduras by the same scoreline. However, goals from Hernández and Matías Garrido pulled Honduras back to within one, but USA held on for a 3-2 win. But the biggest story came in Paramaribo, as Suriname came from behind to get level with Canada, before a late defensive mix-up allowed the hosts' Ludcinio Marengo to poke in for a dramatic 2-1 win.
Matchday 3
Suriname couldn't back that win up, as they lost 2-0 to Jamaica, giving their opponents their first points of the campaign. This left one team without a win - surprisingly, it was Canada, the only team to win all 6 games in Round 4. And they moved bottom of the table as they could only draw 1-1 with Honduras, only getting a point thanks to Brayan Beckeles' absurd own goal. The big clash was between the continent's two biggest sides, and USA continued their perfect start as Gonzalo Martínez scored two and set up another in a 3-0 win.
Matchday 4
The last thing Canada needed was a trip to visit USA, and they tamely lost 2-0 to remain in crisis. Jamaica's relatively poor campaign continued as they lost 1-0 to Honduras, whilst Suriname also picked up a third defeat as they lost 2-0 to Mexico - the first being a 45-yard André-Pierre Gignac free kick that missed everyone and nestled in the corner.
The last thing Canada needed was a trip to visit USA, and they tamely lost 2-0 to remain in crisis. Jamaica's relatively poor campaign continued as they lost 1-0 to Honduras, whilst Suriname also picked up a third defeat as they lost 2-0 to Mexico - the first being a 45-yard André-Pierre Gignac free kick that missed everyone and nestled in the corner.
Matchday 5
Canada finally got their first win as Fredy Montero's goal earned them a 1-0 win over Jamaica. USA made it a perfect 5 from 5 as they overcame Suriname 3-1, and Mexico kept up the pace as they hammered Honduras 4-0.
This gives us this halfway table:
Canada finally got their first win as Fredy Montero's goal earned them a 1-0 win over Jamaica. USA made it a perfect 5 from 5 as they overcame Suriname 3-1, and Mexico kept up the pace as they hammered Honduras 4-0.
This gives us this halfway table:
USA are almost certain to go through, and Mexico are very well-placed. No-one is out of the race for the third qualifying spot however, with Canada arguably still favourites for it.
Matchday 6
Canada faced the tricky test of visiting the Estadio Azteca. After falling behind to a(nother) Pizarro goal, Jozy Altidore equalised on his first start of the group. However, sloppy defending from a corner allowed Guido Rodríguez to grab a winning goal. However, Canada only lost 1 point to Honduras, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Suriname. This meant Jamaica went bottom as they lost 3-0 to USA, with Vela grabbing a brace. Remarkably, this put USA 13 points clear of 4th-placed Canada, meaning they secured their qualification in the quickest possible time.
Matchday 6
Canada faced the tricky test of visiting the Estadio Azteca. After falling behind to a(nother) Pizarro goal, Jozy Altidore equalised on his first start of the group. However, sloppy defending from a corner allowed Guido Rodríguez to grab a winning goal. However, Canada only lost 1 point to Honduras, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Suriname. This meant Jamaica went bottom as they lost 3-0 to USA, with Vela grabbing a brace. Remarkably, this put USA 13 points clear of 4th-placed Canada, meaning they secured their qualification in the quickest possible time.
Matchday 7
USA's unbeaten record looked under threat as Kemar Lawrence put into his own goal, giving Honduras the lead. However, an instinctive header from Vela drew USA level before Honduras' Beckeles was sent off. Ibrahimovic scored a penalty to put USA into the lead, and they came through 4-1 winners. This allowed Canada to move into third as they beat Suriname 3-0. Mexico had the chance to secure their qualification as they faced Jamaica, but they couldn't find an equaliser to Kesslon Hall's early goal and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
USA's unbeaten record looked under threat as Kemar Lawrence put into his own goal, giving Honduras the lead. However, an instinctive header from Vela drew USA level before Honduras' Beckeles was sent off. Ibrahimovic scored a penalty to put USA into the lead, and they came through 4-1 winners. This allowed Canada to move into third as they beat Suriname 3-0. Mexico had the chance to secure their qualification as they faced Jamaica, but they couldn't find an equaliser to Kesslon Hall's early goal and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Matchday 8
Canada and Honduras were still level on 8 points, which meant the clash between the two would be absolutely key. Ignacio Piatti's free kick set up Taider to open the scoring for Canada, and Piatti added a second to wrap up a 2-0 win. USA once again fell behind, this time to Mexico, as Edwin Cardona scored. This time there was no comeback, as Gignac headed in to wrap up a 2-0 win that secures Mexico's qualification! Meanwhile, in the battle between the bottom two sides, Suriname overcame Jamaica 3-1 to make the fight for the play-off spot very close.
Canada and Honduras were still level on 8 points, which meant the clash between the two would be absolutely key. Ignacio Piatti's free kick set up Taider to open the scoring for Canada, and Piatti added a second to wrap up a 2-0 win. USA once again fell behind, this time to Mexico, as Edwin Cardona scored. This time there was no comeback, as Gignac headed in to wrap up a 2-0 win that secures Mexico's qualification! Meanwhile, in the battle between the bottom two sides, Suriname overcame Jamaica 3-1 to make the fight for the play-off spot very close.
Matchday 9
Canada had to host USA as they attempted to solidify their grip on 3rd. They fell behind to a fine striker from Nani (who apparently plays in the USA now?), and another Ibrahimovic penalty wrapped up a 2-0 win. Honduras took advantage as they claimed a 1-0 win over Jamaica. That result eliminated Jamaica - the first time they have failed to make the play-offs - and Suriname's adventure sadly drew to a brutal close as they lost 5-0 to Mexico.
Canada had to host USA as they attempted to solidify their grip on 3rd. They fell behind to a fine striker from Nani (who apparently plays in the USA now?), and another Ibrahimovic penalty wrapped up a 2-0 win. Honduras took advantage as they claimed a 1-0 win over Jamaica. That result eliminated Jamaica - the first time they have failed to make the play-offs - and Suriname's adventure sadly drew to a brutal close as they lost 5-0 to Mexico.
This is how things stand with one game left:
It all comes down to Canada vs Honduras for 3rd spot. It's advantage Canada, as their goal difference is substantially better. Furthermore, Canada host bottom-placed Jamaica, whilst Honduras are visited by Mexico. It would a surprise if Honduras can find a way through, but it's certainly possible.
Matchday 10
Canada got the breakthrough they wanted against Jamaica in the 36th minute, as Altidore battled through to poke the ball home. However, things swung when one of Canada's other former Premier League players - Bacary Sagna - picked up a red card, and from the resulting free kick Remie Streete headed in an equaliser. It finished 1-1, leaving the door open for Honduras if they could beat Mexico. They emphatically couldn't, as Mexico's front three - Pizarro, Gignac and Diego Rolan - were all on the scoresheet as they beat Honduras 4-0. So Canada qualify somewhat unconvincingly. Meanwhile, a brace from Ibrahimovic earned USA a 2-1 win over Suriname.
Matchday 10
Canada got the breakthrough they wanted against Jamaica in the 36th minute, as Altidore battled through to poke the ball home. However, things swung when one of Canada's other former Premier League players - Bacary Sagna - picked up a red card, and from the resulting free kick Remie Streete headed in an equaliser. It finished 1-1, leaving the door open for Honduras if they could beat Mexico. They emphatically couldn't, as Mexico's front three - Pizarro, Gignac and Diego Rolan - were all on the scoresheet as they beat Honduras 4-0. So Canada qualify somewhat unconvincingly. Meanwhile, a brace from Ibrahimovic earned USA a 2-1 win over Suriname.
Here's the final table:
That group went all the way down to the wire, which was fun. Honduras miss out despite a very sparky showing. They are the first team confirmed for the Intercontinental Play-Off - from this episode onward we'll quickly fill up the other 5 spots. No team from North America has made it through the ICPO, but Honduras will be confident of doing so based on this showing.
Next time we travel southwards to get the final update from South America. Brazil are already through, but who will join them?
Next time we travel southwards to get the final update from South America. Brazil are already through, but who will join them?