Canada in wintery wonderland after beating Mexico in men's World Cup qualifier
Canada took another step towards booking its place at the 2022 World Cup after beating Mexico 2-1 in near freezing conditions.
A brace from Cyle Larin ensured the hosts recorded their first win over Mexico in over 20 years, a victory that shot Canada to the top of the CONCACAF qualifying table.
Canada has not played in a men's World Cup since 1986 but is so far unbeaten in the final qualification stages -- four wins and four draws -- with just six games to go.
"Amazing night. Atmosphere in the stadium was electric and the boys went out there and played our hearts out," said Canada's Atiba Hutchinson, who broke the Canucks' men's all-time appearance record after making his 90th cap.
"We left everything on the pitch. We knew how important this match was and we wanted to go out there and make a statement.
"The work ethic that we've been putting in, it's something special. I haven't seen anything like this."
'We've all grown up in this weather'
Only three teams automatically qualify for the World Cup out of the CONCACAF region with the fourth-placed team entering into a playoff.
Canada currently sits one point clear of the US with Mexico and Panama just two points behind.
But spirit in the Canadian camp is high, as seen when players celebrated their second goal by jumping into the snow piled up at the side of the pitch.
"The fans came out for us today and supported us in the cold. We've all grown up in this weather, so we're used to it," Larin said after the match.
In truth, Mexico could and maybe should have spoiled the party in Edmonton.
Hector Herrera cut the deficit in half in the 90th minute before Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan pulled off a crucial save to prevent the visitors from bundling the ball over the line with just seconds left on the clock.
Canada's next qualifying match is against Honduras on January 27, 2022, before it hosts the US three days later.
在男子世界杯预选赛中击败墨西哥后，加拿大进入冬季仙境
加拿大在接近冰点的条件下以 2-1 击败墨西哥后，又向预定 2022 年世界杯的席位迈进了一步。
赛尔·拉林 (Cyle Larin) 的梅开二度确保东道主在 20 多年来首次战胜墨西哥，这场胜利使加拿大登上了中北美及加勒比海地区预选赛的榜首。
加拿大自 1986 年以来就没有参加过男子世界杯，但迄今为止在最后的资格赛阶段保持不败——四胜四平——只剩下六场比赛了。
“美妙的夜晚。体育场里的气氛充满电，男孩们出去玩了我们的心，”加拿大的阿蒂巴·哈钦森说，他在第 90 次出场后打破了加人队的男子出场记录。
“我们把一切都留在了球场上。我们知道这场比赛有多重要，我们想出去发表声明。
“我们一直秉持的职业道德，很特别。我从未见过这样的事情。”
“我们都是在这样的天气里长大的”
中北美及加勒比海地区只有三支球队自动晋级世界杯，排名第四的球队进入季后赛。
加拿大目前领先美国一分，墨西哥和巴拿马仅落后两分。
但是加拿大阵营的精神很高，正如球员们跳进球场边堆积的雪地庆祝他们的第二个进球时所看到的那样。
“今天球迷们出来支持我们，在寒冷的天气里支持我们。我们都是在这样的天气里长大的，所以我们已经习惯了，”拉林赛后说道。
事实上，墨西哥本可以也可能应该破坏埃德蒙顿的派对。
赫克托·埃雷拉在第 90 分钟将比分缩小了一半，然后加拿大门将米兰博尔扬完成了一次关键的扑救，以防止游客在比赛还剩几秒钟时将球绑在罚球线上。
加拿大的下一场资格赛将于 2022 年 1 月 27 日对阵洪都拉斯，三天后将迎战美国。
