Canada vs. Mexico result: CanMNT beats El Tri 2-1 to go top of qualifying standings

Simon Borg

Canada vs. Mexico result: CanMNT beats El Tri 2-1 to go top of qualifying standings image

The Canadian men’s national team is at the top of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings with just six matches left. That’s a scenario that felt unthinkable just a few months ago, but it’s now a reality after a convincing 2-1 victory over regional power Mexico on a magical night for Canadian soccer in front of more than 50,000 fans in frigid Edmonton.

With temperatures dipping into the single digits, Cyle Larin scored a goal in each half and the Canadians kept Mexico at bay for a match they thoroughly deserved to win. The first goal came just before halftime after Larin pounced on a rebound, and the second came on a set piece early in the second half. A stoppage-time header strike from Mexico's Hector Herrera set up a frantic finish, which included a Canadian goal-line clearance, but Canada held on.

While the Canadians move closer to making history and qualifying to their first World Cup since 1986, the pressure mounts on Mexico manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who saw his team fall to its second straight qualifying loss after a 2-0 setback to rivals USA. This was Mexico's first World Cup qualifying loss to Canada since 1976, and the first loss of any kind to Canada since 2000.

MORE: Which teams have qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

It was an evenly played match on the Commonwealth Stadium astroturf, but the difference between the teams came down to Canada's ability to generate and capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially thanks to Larin who became Canada's all-time goals co-leader with his two tallies. 

Canada defender Alistair Johnston stepped up to win a ball in the attack and take a shot on goal, which led to Larin's first putback goal before halftime. Then Stephen Eustaquio delivered a delightful set piece and Larin lost his marker in the box on the second goal. The Canadians also appealed for a 63rd-minute penalty kick after Richie Laryea was bumped in the box, but the referee was not interested.

Mexico was limited to a handful of hopeful balls into the box that were handled by the Canadian back line, including goalkeeper Milan Borjan. One of those required a goal-line clearance by Borjan deep into stoppage time that prevented a near equalizer.

Canada vs. Mexico final score

  1H 2H Final
Canada 1 1 2
Mexico 0 1 1

MORE: World Cup qualifying standings & results

Goals:
CAN — Cyle Larin — 47th min.
CAN — Cyle Larin (Stephen Eustaquio) — 52nd min.
MEX — Hector Herrera (Tecatito Corona) — 91st min.

(All times Eastern)

Final: Canada 2, Mexico 1

96th min.: A Sebastian Cordova shot bounces right into the welcoming hands of Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan. That was the final attempt of the match.

93rd min.: Goal line clearance! Mexico thought it scored a second goal, but Milan Borjan got across to push the ball away just before it crossed the line.

91st min.: Goal Mexico! Tecatito Corona with the cross and Hector Herrera with the header on the run and Mexico have reduced the deficit.

87th min.: SUB - Jonathan Osorio on for Alphonso Davies to help close out the game.

76th min.: Raul Jimenez tries a shot from distance, but it's high. Desperation time for Mexico. The attacking ideas aren't clear.

74th min.: SUB - Surprise move by Mexico to remove Edson Alvarez and bring on Andres Guardado for the final 15 minutes.

72nd min.: SUB - Jonathan David comes in for Cyle Larin. Like-for-like substitution.

66th min.: Another mirror play to the previous one. Cross into Piojo Alvarado and it's a flick touch that amounts to nothing.

63rd min.: Penalty shout for Canada! Richie Laryea goes down on the challenge from Jorge Sanchez and it looked like a penalty, but the referee wasn't interested.

59th min.: SUBS - Mexico needs ideas and Sebastian Cordova comes in for Orbelin Pineda.

58th min.: Mexico chance. Tecatito floats a ball toward Piojo Alvarado, who tries the cheeky flick and it's an easy stop for Milan Borjan.

52nd min.: Goal Canada! Cyle Larin is wide open on a set piece into the box by Stephen Eustaquio. He just touches it past Memo Ochoa. It's 2-0 Canada!

50th min.: What a chance for Canada! It was Tajon Buchanan and Alphonso Davies on a 2-on-1 break, but Buchanan misplaced his pass to Davies and the chance goes to waste.

46th min.: Second half is underway with two changes for Mexico, and they're aggressive: Piojo Alvarado and Tecatito Corona on for Chucky Lozano and Cata Dominguez. So a defender comes off as Mexico chases the result.

Halftime: Canada 1, Mexico 0

46th min.: Goal Canada! Just before the halftime it's Cyle Larin who scores. Alistair Johnston wins the ball, fires on goal and Larin is there to clean up the rebound.

43rd min.: While Alphonso Davies has been quiet, Tajon Buchanan has another go at goal, but it's off target.

38th min.: SUB - Wow. Canada coach John Herdman wasn't taking any chances. With Doneil Henry carrying a yellow card, he replaced him with veteran center back Steven Vitoria.

37th min.: Canada's Tajon Buchanan finally gets a chance to run at the defense and his shot is blocked by Cata Dominguez for a corner.

36th min.: Mexico's five-man back line is proving helpful at containing the wide runs that make the Canadian so dangerous.

27th min.: Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan gobbles up a Jesus Gallardo chip cross from the left.

24th min.: Alistair Johnston finds Cyle Larin in the box and the forward gets a low shot off, but it's an easy stop for goalkeeper Memo Ochoa. Canada growing into this game.

23rd min.: Canada float a ball into the Mexico box looking to take advantage of a lucky bounce on the frozen astroturf.

14th min.: Chucky Lozano gets a yellow himself for a reckless tackle on Stephen Eustaquio. That's a yellow already for each side and Lozano will miss the next Mexico match.

12th min.: Yellow card for Doneil Henry who holds back Hector Herrera and prevents a promising attack. Textbook yellow.

5th min.: Measured start to this one by both teams. No one wants to make the early mistake. Mexico wants to go vertical quickly.

1st min.: What a midair collision between Doneil Henry, who clatters into Hirving "Chucky" Lozano.

1st min.: We're off.

9:07 p.m.: Canada fans won't be forgetting this night:

8:49 p.m.: In case you hadn't heard, this match is going down as the "Iceteca," which is pretty creative:

How to watch Canada vs. Mexico in USA

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • TV: Telemundo
  • Streaming: fuboTV , Paramount+

The Canada vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier from Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium will be broadcast on Telemundo (Spanish) and streamed on fuboTV , which is available to new users on a free 7-day trial .

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.