Round 2 of Concacaf Qatar 2022 qualifiers came to a close on Tuesday
Canada, El Salvador and Panama completed aggregate wins after first leg victories
Curaçao, Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis exited to leave eight nations remaining
The second legs of Round 2 Concacaf FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying came to a close on Tuesday with three nations advancing to the 'Octagonal', where three automatic tickets to Qatar 2022 will be up for grabs.
The three first-leg winners all progressed, although Curaçao pushed Panama to the very limit in Willemstad. Matters were much simpler for El Salvador, while Canada also enjoyed a comfortable night as they reached the final round of Concacaf qualifying after a lengthy drought.
The three winners join Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and USA in the final round.
Results
Curaçao 0-0 Panama (Agg. 1-2) Canada 3-0 Haiti (Agg. 4-0) El Salvador 2-0 St. Kitts and Nevis (Agg. 6-0)
Concacaf Qatar 2022 qualifiers - 15 June 2021
Canada were the big winners on the matchday as three second-half goals ended Haiti’s hopes. The Canucks held a 1-0 lead from the opening leg in Port Au Prince and that advantage was doubled with a disastrous own goal from goalkeeper Josue Duverger just after half-time, before the in-form Cyle Larin and Junior Hoilett extended the winning margin. It is the first time since France 1998 qualifying that Canada have reached the final stage in the region.
Russia 2018 participants Panama endued a far nervier evening in Curacao as they defended a narrow 2-1 lead. With a 1-0 win enough to progress on away goals, Curacao hit the frame of the goal in the latter stages, but it was to remain a near-miss for the side coached by Patrick Kluivert, who has been deputising for the ill Guus Hiddink.
El Salvador scored in either half to build on their 4-0 comfortable advantage over St. Kitts and Nevis. It was a tenth match unbeaten for the in-form Cuzcatlecos and a ninth clean sheet during that run.