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September 7, 2009

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Home » Sports » Soccer

Mexico carves up Costa Rica in qualifier

GOALS by Giovanni Dos Santos, Guillermo Franco and Andres Guardado lifted Mexico over Costa Rica 3-0 on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier, pushing Mexico into a strong position to reach next year's event in South Africa.

It was Mexico's best match in qualifying and its first victory away from home after three losses.

Dos Santos scored on a sparking left-footed shot that silenced the hostile crowd at Saprissa Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica. Franco added another in the 61st with Guardado scored in the 70th. Dos Santos set up both goals.

Honduras and the United States have 13 points each to lead CONCACAF qualifying. Mexico and Costa Rica have 12. When qualifying ends next month, the top three teams advance automatically to the 32-team tournament. No. 4 faces a playoff with the No. 5 from South America for another berth.

Costa Rica plays Wednesday at El Salvador and Mexico is home against Honduras.

The United States moved into prime position to qualify for its sixth straight World Cup, rallying from an early deficit to beat El Salvador 2-1 on Saturday with first-half goals by Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore.

Christian Castillo gave El Salvador the lead in the 32nd minute after a giveaway by Jonathan Bornstein.

But Dempsey replied before the half ended with a diving header in the 41st and Altidore scored on a leaping header in the second minute of stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Honduras maintained its lead in the group by routing Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 on Saturday in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.





 

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