The United States soccer players mistakenly celebrated their qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after defeating Panama 5-1 on Thursday night, March 27, 2022.
During the match which was United States’ 13th soccer game in the World Cup qualification series, Chelsea forward, Christian Pulisic scored the opener via a spot-kick in the 17th minute.
In the 23rd minute, Paul Arriola doubled the lead of the United States Soccer Men National Team (USMNT) from an open play. While in the 27th minute, Jesus Ferreira made it 3-0 in favor of the USMNT.
Towards the end of the first half, Pulisic scored again via a spot-kick to make it 4-0, a scoreline that looked impossible to overturn even before the second half started.
In the 65th minute, Christian Pulisic recorded his hat-trick for his country. But Panama did not go down without a fight as Aníbal Godoy scored the consolation goal for the country in the 86th minute.
A 🖐 spot in Orlando!!!#USAvPAN x @VW pic.twitter.com/NCabUMav1c
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 28, 2022
After the 5-1 bashing of Panama, the United States Soccer players were given a banner reading “Qualified. FIFA World Cup”, to celebrate their qualification for the 2022 edition of the tournament.
However, the United States soccer team has to face Costa Rica on Thursday, March 31, 2022, before they can seal a spot in the tournament.
After the erroneous celebration, Christian Pulisic said: “The guys didn’t know at all what it said. It was just hand handed to them. Once we realised – there’s no need to show that off because we still have a job to do.
“We honestly approach it like any other game. We’re going to prepare the same as we would if we needed a win.”
What can the United States Soccer team do to officially qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
The 5-1 bashing of Panama earlier today has left the United States soccer team in the second spot on the CONCACAF qualification table. The country now has 25 points in 13 games, three points below Canada that have already qualified for the tournament.
Third-placed Mexico has the same point as the United States Soccer team. The two North American countries have recorded 7 wins, four draws, and two defeats so far in the qualification series.
Unfortunately for the USMNT, the team will face fourth-place Costa Rica which has 22 points in 13 games. Costa Rica still stands a chance of qualifying for the World Cup ahead of the USA if the team can beat the USMNT 10-0 which is impossible.
Hence, even a draw is enough for the United States soccer team to automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While fourth-placed Costa Rica will have to win New Zealand in an inter-continental World Cup play-off to grab a ticket for the tournament which will commence in November and end in December 2022.
Mom, Dad, and the whole country are proud. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/qqeVD6aaLz
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 28, 2022
