Honduras seals Socceroos showdown, USA misses out
Honduras will take on Australia for a spot in the FIFA World Cup, while United States missed out altogether after a shock 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday (AEDT).
Honduras will face Australia in a play-off to reach the 2018 World Cup after a stunning 3-2 win over Mexico in qualifying on Tuesday.
A 60th-minute goal from Romell Quioto proved to be the match-winner for Jorge Luis Pinto's men at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.
Despite a decent first half, Honduras found themselves behind after goals from Oribe Peralta and Carlos Vela.
But an unfortunate Guillermo Ochoa own goal and Quioto strike in the second half completed a stunning comeback, sending Honduras into a play-off against Australia.
Bidding to reach an eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup, USA was poised to advance to Russia 2018, having occupied the third and final automatic berth prior to kick-off on Wednesday.
However, defeat to lowly Trinidad and Tobago, coupled with victories for Panama and Honduras meant Bruce Arena's men dropped out of the North American qualifying spots altogether, down to fifth.
Borussia Dortmund sensation Christian Pulisic pulled a goal back early in the second half to give the Americans hope, after an Omar Gonzalez own goal and Alvin Jones' stunning long-range strike gave Trinidad and Tobago a 2-0 half-time lead.
But USA was unable to net the equaliser that would have guaranteed them at least an inter-confederation play-off berth against Australia as it missed the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986.
