2018 World Cup: stunned US fail to qualify

A shock 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago means the US won’t be at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Michael Bradley and Christian Pulisic of the US team react to their loss against Trinidad and Tobago at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

The US won’t be at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, while Panama have qualified for their first finals, and Honduras booked a playoff against Australia.

Panama scored a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in the final round of Concacaf qualifiers to pip Honduras and the US and book a berth for Russia 2018.

Honduras beat Mexico 3-2 to set up a date with the Socceroos next month, while the US were left stunned after losing 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago, the group’s bottom side.

They travelled to Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva needing only a draw to qualify but fell behind 2-0 in the first half, and could claw back only one goal in the 47th minute through Christian Pulisic.

Shocked US players slumped on the bench, while others were left in disbelief on the pitch after the final whistle.

“We failed on the day,” US coach Bruce Arena said. “We have no excuses — we failed. ”   

Panama jumped into third place — to join group winners Mexico and runners-up Costa Rica as the region’s automatic qualifiers — with a comeback win over La Tricolor that was decided by an 87th-minute winner from Roman Torres.

Honduras scored twice in the second half to surprise Mexico and climb into fourth place, earning a chance to qualify for their first Cup appearance via a home-and-away tie next month against the Socceroos.

In other qualifying games, ­Lionel Messi delivered for Argentina, who were on the brink of qualifying elimination for the first time in almost five decades. Messi scored all three goals in the comeback 3-1 victory at Ecuador.

“It would’ve been crazy if Argentina didn’t play the World Cup,” Messi, 30, said. “This is what we came for. And on top of that we started behind. Luckily, we could react quickly and take the lead.”

The top four teams in South America get automatic spots at next year’s tournament in Russia. Brazil has 41 points and clinched a berth months ago. The other three advancing yesterday went in this order: Uruguay (31), Argentina (28) and Colombia (27).

Uruguay beat Bolivia 4-2, Colombia drew 1-1 with Peru and Venezuela beat Paraguay 1-0.

Peru (26) placed fifth and face an intercontinental playoff next month against Oceania’s New Zealand to keep their bid alive.

Agencies