Gruezo with at least a playoff place - Pepi wins
Ecuador draw with Peru, USA get the job done against Honduras
First Team
03.02.2022, 10:12
Ricardo Pepi and the USA have recorded a big win against Honduras in World Cup qualifying. Carlos Gruezo and Ecuador on course for the World Cup.
Ricardo Pepi and the USA bounced back from their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Canada on the weekend, winning 3-0 against Honduras. Weston McKennie (8’), Walker Zimmermann (37’) and Christian Pulisic (67’) scored for the Stars and Stripes with Pepi starting the game and being substituted late on.
The USA are second in the standings with three matchdays remaining. They are four points clear of Panama, who occupy the inter-confederation playoff spot in fourth, and five points above fifth-placed Costa Rica. Direct qualification for the finals in Qatar is now well within reach.
Carlos Gruezo and Ecuador, meanwhile, are sure of at least an inter-confederation playoff place. Michael Estrada gave Ecuador an early lead against Peru (2’), before Edison Flores levelled in the second half (69’). Carlos Gruezo played the whole 90 minutes in defensive midfield.
With two games of qualification to go, Ecuador remain in third place. Gruezo’s side have secured at least fifth place, which would see them enter the playoffs. A win in either of their remaining games would see ‘la Tri’ qualify directly for Qatar 2022.
