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Canada clinches first World Cup berth since 1986 in front of raucous crowd

Canada

Canadas Cyle Larin celebrates his goal with teammate Richie Laryea during their World Cup Qualifying match against Jamaica at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Canada became the first CONCACAF team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup when they beat Jamaica 4-0 on Sunday at BMO Field, clinching their place in Qatar with style in front of a raucous crowd.

The home stadium carried the feel of a coronation as Jamaica traveled a much-weakened side, but there are no givens in CONCACAF as the USMNT proved at Couva in 2017.

[ MORE: USMNT World Cup qualifying schedule, standings ]

Cyle Larin took a superb through ball from Stephen Eustaquio and slipped the ball past Andre Blake to give Canada a lead after just 13 minutes and the Reggae Boyz never looked much like finding an equalizer let alone multiple goals.

A late first-half goal from Tajon Buchanan put it to rest even before a second-half strike from Junior Hoilett and Jamaica own goal hit the scoreboard, as a draw would’ve done the trick: Canada was going to its first World Cup in 36 years, and clinching their place before the USMNT and Mexico.

Jamaica entered the match with a win and five draws in 12 Octagonal matches, but Sunday’s squad wouldn’t deliver too many points in qualifying. Players like Michail Antonio, Kemar Lawrence, and Bobby Decordova-Reid were not called into camp.

Canada will now look to its second World Cup -- and first World Cup goal and win -- having gone 0-3 and finishing dead last at the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

Follow @NicholasMendola