Mexico and USA have booked places in South Africa with qualifying wins over El Salvador and Honduras respectively.
Mexico and USA clinch berths in South Africa next summer
Mexico and USA have booked places in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa with qualifying wins over El Salvador and Honduras respectively.
Javier Aguirre's Mexico side claimed a convincing 4-1 home win to end
El Salvador's hopes of making it to South Africa, while the
United States were 3-2 winners away to
Honduras.
Mexico knew they needed the three points and took the lead after 25 minutes through an own goal by Marvin Gonzalez after Cuauhtemoc Blanco had shot on goal.
El Tri extended their lead in the 71st minute when Blanco scored with his right foot from a Guillermo Franco pass.
With only six minutes to go, 36-year-old Juan Francisco Palencia made it 3-0, but Julio Martinez scored from a free-kick for El Salvador two four minutes later.
Carlos Vela added a fourth for Mexico in injury time following yet another defensive blunder.
USA win
Bob Bradley's USA side had to work hard for their 3-2 win over Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Conor Casey chipping in with a brace.
After a goalless first period, the Catrachos went ahead in the 47th minute when Julio de Leon beat Tim Howard with a decent shot.
However, Casey headed the ball home seven minutes later to level the game.
Casey scored again from Landon Donovan's pass in the 65th minute and Donovan himself extended America's lead from a free-kick six minutes later, although keeper Noel Valladares should have done more to keep out the shot.
De Leon gave Honduras hope by scoring his second seven minutes later although they missed a glorious chance to snatch a point when Carlos Pavon sent his spot-kick over the bar as Honduras slipped to fourth in the standings.
T&T battered
Costa Rica hammered 10-man
Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in San Jose to move up to third in the Concacaf qualifying standings.
An own goal by Julius James put Costa Rica ahead in the 26th minute and Walter Centeno doubled the lead five minutes into the second half after being set up by Alvaro Saborio.
Saborio himself netted a quick-fire brace midway through the second half before James saw his night go from bad to worse when he was sent off.
The Ticos could have scored a fifth but Trinidad keeper Marvin Phillip saved a Randall Azofeifa penalty.
On Wednesday Costa Rica and Honduras will battle it out for the last automatic World Cup qualifying spot.
The Ticos will claim it if they win away to the USA. If they draw or lose Honduras can seal their place in South Africa with a win over El Salvador. The side who misses out and finishes fourth will face a play-off against the fifth-placed side in South American qualification.
