MIAMI.- FIFA World Cup qualification in the Concacaf region returned in September, with an electric start to qualification that saw many closely fought battles and resulted in little separation in the table after three matchdays.

All teams earned at least one point as they look to finish in the top half of the Final Round. The excitement returns in October, but first here is a look back at five of the best moments from the September matches.

Pepi powers U.S. to first win of cycle

The United States trailed Honduras 1-0 at halftime on Matchday 3 after playing to draws in each of its first two qualification matches. Then, an 18-year-old forward making his senior international debut took control of the match and changed everything.

Ricardo Pepi, an El Paso, Texas native, made a run for what would result in Antonee Robinson’s opening goal for the U.S. in the 48th minute.

Pepi then headed in a DeAndre Yedlin cross to put the U.S. in the lead in the 75th minute and set up the third goal of the night, turning defense into attack with an interception and assist for Brenden Aaronson.

On a night in which four U.S. players made their WCQ debuts, Pepi’s performance stood out and laid the groundwork for an important 4-1 win.

Martin wins it late for Mexico

After topping the standings in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup qualification for Russia 2018, Mexico entered the new cycle with high expectations off the back of runner-up finishes in the Concacaf Nations League and the Concacaf Gold Cup.

But Matchday 1 got off to a difficult start for El Tricolor, who were locked in a 1-1 draw with Jamaica heading into the final minutes at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico manager Gerardo Martino had his team push for a second goal, and it arrived in the 89th minute thanks to Henry Martin.

Cesar Montes’ line-breaking pass slipped too far for Luis Romo, but Martin ran onto it and used his right foot to direct it toward the goal. After helping El Tricolor secure a Bronze Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Martin continued his superb summer by making sure Mexico got off to a winning start in WCQ.


Navas returns with clean sheet

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas has played in some of the world’s most important competitions and has become a fixture of qualification in the region. After missing action this summer, Navas was back between the sticks for the Ticos and wasted no time in making his presence felt.

Panama was aggressive on Matchday 1, feeling the pressure to open with a home win at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez. Yet, no matter how many opportunities Thomas Christiansen’s side created, Navas was up to the task of denying Panama’s attackers.

The veteran shot-stopper, a former Concacaf Goalkeeper of the Year, snagged a header from Alberto Quintero out of the air in the 35th minute, and got down to use his feet to make a save on Edgar Yoel Barcenas in the 85th minute to keep the clean sheet.

Navas conceded a goal in Costa Rica’s next two games, a 1-0 loss to Mexico and a 1-1 draw with Jamaica, but clearly the veteran goalkeeper is ready to help Costa Rica extend its World Cup Finals streak.

Panama powers past Jamaica in Kingston

After being kept scoreless in its first match, Panama needed to find goals to get a cherished road victory in Concacaf qualification and they did just that in a 3-0 win at Jamaica. The first goal arrived in the first half from an unlikely source, with center back Andres Andrade scoring from outside the box.

Panama had the confidence it needed to score more, with Rolando Blackburn heading in the second goal and Cecilio Waterman finishing off a counter-attacking move to give Panama the third.

The 3-0 victory for Panama was one of only three away wins in the first three matchdays. It’s an auspicious sign that the 2018 FIFA World Cup debutants could make a return to the tournament in Qatar.

Canada fans cheer long awaited WCQ win

Canada has had a great 2021 in World Cup qualification, getting through the first and second rounds and into the Final Round with a nearly unblemished record.

Yet, there was something special about Wednesday’s 3-0 win over El Salvador.

Canada hadn’t won in the Final Round of World Cup qualification since June 1, 1997 when a goal from Eddy Berdusco put Canada past Costa Rica 1-0 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The win also meant Canada started the Final Round with three matches undefeated for the first time since 1993.

Long-time Canada midfielder Atiba Hutchinson scored the first goal in the sixth minute before Jonathan David added a second five minutes later. 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Youth Player Award winner Tajon Buchanan then notched the third in the 59th minute by polishing off a counterattack.


If Canada continue this form, the wait for another win will be much shorter for their fans.