Costa Rica keeps pace with win over Trinidad

San Jose, June 14, (GNA/dpa) - Costa Rica led throughout the second half to outlast visiting Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on Tuesday in San Jose.

The victory puts Costa Rica in second place on 11 points in the group, three behind leaders Mexico, and leaves Trinidad last among the six teams in the regional table.

A first-minute corner kick led to a Joel Campbell cross that Francisco Calvo headed in for Costa Rica.

Trinidad and Tobago, now struggling on three points after six games with four rounds to play, were undeterred as Kevin Molino levelled in the 35th minute.

Costa Rica took the lead for good before half-time as Bryan Ruiz struck with a left-footed shot from long distance.

The win means Costa Rica surge ahead of the United States, who are on eight points and sitting in third place, which is good enough for the last qualification spot for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Meanwhile, Panama scored a 90th-minute goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with Honduras at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City and cling to fourth place in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. The fourth spot in CONCACAF earns a playoff for a chance to head to the 2018 World Cup.

Romell Quioto struck for Honduras with a left-foot shot in the sixth minute, before Blas Perez fired an equalizer into the top right corner in the 41st.

In the 65th minute, Alberth Elis gave the visitors a lead that lasted until the final seconds of regular time, when Roman Torres struck for Panama.

The point lifts Panama to seven, while Honduras trails on five points after squandering a chance to leapfrog into fourth place.

GNA