The October matches in the third round of Concacaf qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ provided another showcase for some of the top talent in the region.
Many of the teams put themselves in position to achieve qualification in next month’s final slate of encounters thanks in large part to the efforts of some of their star players.
FIFA take a look at the men who answered the call for their countries during the window.
Oscar Santis, Guatemala
There is just something about big games that bring out the very best in Santis. The 26-year-old forward was the hat-trick hero for Guatemala in their second round finale with Dominican Republic that sealed their third round spot. He then followed that up with the winning goal in a Gold Cup win over Jamaica. Santis donned his Superman cape again in this window, hammering home a perfectly placed right-footed strike to give Los Chapines a massive victory at El Salvador. Guatemala now just sit a point off of Suriname and Panama in Group A, and with both November qualifiers in Guatemala City, you would not bet against Santis producing more magic again.
Renaldo Cephas, Jamaica
While so much attention is paid to the Reggae Boyz stars who ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues, like Demarai Gray and Leon Bailey, the most consistent player for Jamaica in this round of qualifying has been Renaldo Cephas. The 25-year-old, who plays for Russia’s Pari Nizhny Novgorod, was largely limited in the 2-0 loss to Curaçao, but he came back in full force in the 4-0 walloping of Bermuda. Cephas set up the second and third goals by knifing through the Bermuda defence and then delivering pinpoint crosses to give Bobby Reid and Shamar Nicholson the easiest of tap-ins. Cephas now has two assists to go along with a goal in Jamaica’s four matches.
Livano Comenencia, Curaçao
The 21-year-old FC Zurich man and former Netherlands youth international has become one of the primary dangermen for the Blue Wave. He ripped a shot from outside the area that went blazing into the bottom left corner to give Curaçao their opener in the 2-0 win in Jamaica. He nearly repeated that feat in the second match against Trinidad and Tobago by stinging the post with a right-footed rocket. Comenencia has a knack for timing his arrivals perfectly into the opposing area, making himself available for a cut-back pass and a clear look at goal.
Tyrese Spicer, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago struggled in the September window, accumulating just a single point, but they were an improved side this month and Spicer was a big reason why. The 24-year-old Orlando City SC winger got on the scoresheet in the 3-0 home win over Bermuda and then delivered a crucial strike in a gutsy 1-1 draw at Curaçao to keep the Soca Warriors in the mix in Group B. He cleverly pounced on a Bermuda defensive mistake and then did well to round goalkeeper Dale Eve to tally his side’s second against the Gombey Warriors. Against the Blue Wave, he did not hesitate to swoop onto a loose ball and lash home a left-footed laser, giving Trinidad and Tobago a massive boost of momentum going into November’s decisive contests.
Alonso Martinez, Costa Rica
The Ticos were aching for a breakout in the wake of their first three matches, all of which ended in draws, and Martinez stepped forward to provide the fireworks with a brace in a resounding 4-1 victory against Nicaragua. The New York City FC man settled any early nerves with a fantastic left-footed finish between two defenders for the opener. He then showed off his nose for goal by anticipating a Kendall Waston header off a corner kick, flashing in front of the goalkeeper to redirect the ball into net.
Antony Lozano, Honduras
Coming on the heels of a lackluster 0-0 draw at home against Costa Rica, Honduras fans near and far were desperate for their attack to kick into gear. Prior to Monday’s crunch encounter with high-flying Haiti, the one and only Carlos Pavon, the country’s all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying, told viewers on North American outlet Telemundo that the match against Les Grenadiers “has to be ‘El Choco’ Lozano’s match”. The 32-year-old did not disappoint in scoring a sensational goal, playing a pass in his own half to Luis Palma and then making a lung-bursting run past the beleaguered Haitian back-line before receiving the ball back from Palma and finishing for his side’s second goal of the night.
Photos courtesy of Trinidad and Tobago Football Association; Jamaica Football Federation
