United States will return to world Cup from Qatar later this year after a hat-trick from Christian Pulisic fueled a 5-1 victory against Panama in Orlando, Florida, this Sunday.
With the top three nations earning automatic qualification, the second-place Americans (25 points) play fourth-place Costa Rica (22) on Wednesday. The only way the USA would not qualify is if the Americans lost by six or more goals. The United States were looking to qualify after failing to do so for the 2018 World Cup.
Panama’s drubbing ensures that the worst thing the Americans can do is finish fourth, forcing a one-game playoff for World Cup berth against the winner of the Oceania region in June.
Pulisic gave the US the lead on a penalty shot in the 17th minute after VAR ruled that Anibal Godoy fouled Walker Zimmerman. The lead was 2-0 in the 23rd minute when Paul Arriola sent a powerful header from the six-yard box into the top right corner after a cross from Antonee Robinson.
Four minutes later, it was Arriola’s turn to assist. Shaq Moore passed the ball to him and Arriola made a pass into the center of the area, where Jesús Ferreira put the ball in for his third international goal.
Godoy committed another foul in the box in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time and Pulisic converted again to make it 4-0. He then broke through the defense in the 65th minute to earn the hand for his first hat-trick and 12th goal in his qualifying career. He has 21 goals in 47 games. Godoy scored the goal of honor in the 86th minute.
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