FIFA 2018 World Cup: USA fail to qualify for first time since 1986 after shock defeat to Trinidad and Tobago

A late goal from Roman Torres punched Panama’s ticket to their first World Cup finals on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Costa Rica, while the United States will miss out for the first time since 1986 after Honduras pipped them to a playoff place.

With Honduras stunning group winners Mexico 3-2, the United States’ 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago saw them finish fifth in the six-team North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) final qualifying round. Romell Quioto scored the winner in the 60th minute for Honduras, who will now face Australia in a two-leg playoff in November for another ticket to Russia.

Panama’s win was not without controversy. After the visitors went ahead through Johan Venegas’ neat chip in the first half, a 53rd minute Panama corner bounced awkwardly off Gabriel Torres towards the net and while forward Blas Perez dived head first to try to force it home the ball was blocked on the line by Ronald Matarrita.

Somehow the Costa Rican defender scrambled it clear but the referee, who had been standing outside the box, awarded the goal. There was no doubt about the winner from Roman Torres, however, after he hammered home a volley in the 88th-minute to …read more