GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala dealt a lackluster United States a devastating 2-0 defeat in a 2018 World Cup qualifier here Friday.
With goals in the first 15 minutes from Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Paulo Motta, Guatemala earned its first ever World Cup qualifying victory over the US and leapfrogged over Jurgen Klinsmann’s men into second place in Group C in the fourth round of qualifying in North and Central America (CONCACAF).
Klinsmann had been bullish heading into the match — the first of two in five days against Guatemala — saying he was hoping for maximum points so the United States could secure its spot in the final “Hexagonal” phase of qualifying before turning their attention to the Copa America Centenario. Instead the Americans will be in damage control mode when they host Guatemala in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday.
The victory gave Guatemala six points from three matches, one behind Group C leader Trinidad and Tobago, which battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit for a 3-2 victory at lowly St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Levi Garcia’s two goals for Trinidad included the game-winner in the 82nd minute.
The US’ four points put it in third, ahead only of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with none.
In Vancouver, Mexico defeated Canada 3-0 to post its third win in as many matches.
The dominant victory included goals from Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Hirving Lozano and Jesus Corona.
Mexico leads Group A with nine points, five more than second-placed Canada going into their next clash Tuesday.
El Salvador is third in the group on two points after a 2-2 draw at home to Honduras.
In Kingston, Johnny Acosta grabbed the equalizer in the 68th minute for Costa Rica in a 1-1 draw against Jamaica that kept the Ticos atop Group B.Costa Rica leads the group with seven points, three more than Jamaica and Panama, which was held to a goalless draw in Port-au Prince by Haiti.
Suarez scores on return
Luis Suarez ended his nine-match biting ban in fine style Friday, grabbing the second-half equalizer that gave Uruguay a 2-2 draw in an enthralling battle with Brazil in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Playing his first competitive international since being banned for biting Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World Cup Finals, Suarez, along with striking partner Edinson Cavani, dragged Uruguay back into the game after they went 2-0 down after 25 minutes. Brazil took the lead after just 39 seconds, thanks to Douglas Costa.
Willian whipped a cross in from the left and the Bayern Munich striker nipped in between two defenders to poke the ball home with the sole of his boot.
Brazil got a second 24 minutes later thanks to Renato Augusto. Defender Mauricio Victorino could not quite cut out a long pass from Neymar and the loose ball fell to the Beijing Guoan midfielder who wrong-footed the goalkeeper with a sublime dummy and knocked the ball into the empty net.
The home side were dominating the game but Uruguay got back into the match after 31 minutes when Carlos Sanchez headed a ball down to Cavani and the Paris St Germain striker hammered home from 10 yards out.
Uruguay came out for the second half looking the hungrier of the two sides and Suarez got the equalizer with the help of slack marking by David Luiz. Luiz stood off the striker and allowed him to fire home an angled drive that Alisson got a hand to but could not save.
The result means Uruguay retains second place in the 10-team South American qualifying group three points behind Ecuador, which leads with 13 points. Brazil is in third place with eight points.
