Football
ESPN staff 7y

Costa Rica hangs on to beat T&T; Panama and Honduras play to draw

Costa Rica preserved its outright lead in second-place ahead of the United States with a 2-1 win against Trinidad and Tobago in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead from a corner kick in the first minute, with Francisco Calvo heading home from Joel Campbell's cross.

But T&T clawed one back through Kevin Molino in the 35th minute, as the Minnesota United player fired home a Joevin Jones pass from just outside Costa Rica's penalty area.

Bryan Ruiz put the Ticos back in front just before the break for good, curling a 12-yard shot past Jan Michael Williams with the outside of his left foot to make it 2-1.

In the other Hexagonal qualifier on the night, Panama and Honduras finished in a 2-2 draw that helps the U.S. stay third in the standings.

Romell Quioto scored in the sixth minute for the visitors, but an acrobatic header from Blas Perez saw the teams go to the dressing room level at 1-1 at the break.

Alberth Elis scored on a right-footed shot from a Rony Martínez assist to put Honduras back out in front on the road, but Seattle Sounders defender Roman Torres found the equalizer for the home side.

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