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Canada look to secure a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals as they take on Honduras in the group stage finale in Toronto on Tuesday.
In the inaugural Nations League tournament four years ago, Canada were eliminated in this phase of the competition, but much has changed since that heavy final-day defeat to the USA left them out of contention on goal differential.
Canada are in the driver’s seat once again, but unlike against the USA, this time they’re heavily favored against Honduras. The Canadians only require a draw to advance, but they know victory is the only way to avoid a nervy finish.
If Canada win, they would advance to play Panama or Costa Rica, in the semifinals, forcing regional giants USA and Mexico to meet in the other semifinal. However, if Canada advance via a draw with Honduras, Les Rouges would meet the USA, while Mexico would play Panama or Costa Rica.
The Sporting News will be following the Canada vs Honduras match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE: How CONCACAF Nations League works
Canada vs Honduras live score
1H | 2H | Score | |
Canada | 2 | — | 2 |
Honduras | 0 | — | 0 |
Goals:
8th min — CAN — Cyle Larin
12th min — CAN — Cyle Larin
Nations League Group C standings — LIVE
Pos | Nation | Pts | W-L-D | GD |
1. | Canada | 9 | 3-1-0 | +6 |
1. | Honduras | 6 | 2-2-0 | 0 |
3. | Curacao | 3 | 1-3-0 | -6 |
Starting lineups:
Canada confirmed starting lineup (3-5-2): Borjan (GK) — Kennedy, Cornelius, Johnston — Buchanan, Kaye, Eustaquio, Osorio, Davies — David, Larin.
Honduras confirmed starting lineup (5-2-3): L. Lopez (GK) — F. Flores, Leveron, Maldonada, Garcia, Almendarez — Arriaga, D. Flores — Quioto, Lozano, K. Lopez.
Canada vs Honduras live updates, highlights, commentary
Canada vs Honduras: First Half
26th min: Chance, Canada! Luis Lopez saves from Tajon Buchanan from a tight angle on the right, and while the rebound fell right to the feet of Jonathan David in lots of space outside the six-yard box, he puts his follow-up wide. A good chance for the hosts to get a third! While the frenetic pace has somewhat slowed, Honduras are still being utterly battered.
17th min: Honduras escape unscathed after another heavy Canada attack where red shirts are pouring forward. Jonathan David got the ball stuck at his feet after nifty play from a teammate on the left, or else it could have been a third. The Canadians are flying at the moment, pinning Honduras so deep they can’t get out of their own half.
12th min: GOAL! CANADA! It’s all fallen apart for Honduras, and Canada are flying at home! It’s Cyle Larin again, who heads home a Stephen Eustaquio corner to double the lead! Too easy for Larin, who was all alone after his defender Denil Maldonado fell down.
Watch in Canada:
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦
CYLE LARIN AGAIN 🔥🔥#CanMNT up 2-0 over Honduras in the first 11 minutes of this one… (Can we score 8???)
🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/cZIeMtLETi
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 29, 2023
Watch in USA:
CYLE LARIN WITH A THREE MINUTE BRACE. 😤 pic.twitter.com/3fYddzONFy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 29, 2023
8th min: GOAL! CANADA! Cyle Larin opens the scoring with a cool finish from about eight yards out! Alphonso Davies started it by finding Jonathan Osorio, and he slots it to Larin laterally in too much space at the near post. His low effort takes a slight deflection off Johnny Leveron, and the hosts are up early looking for the semifinals.
The goal for Larin is the 27th of his international career, extending his lead atop the Canada all-time career goalscoring list!
Watch in Canada:
GOAL 🇨🇦
CYLE LARIN is on FIRE 🔥
The #CanMNT‘s all-time top scorer notches no. 27 in combination with Jonathan Osorio to bamboozle Honduras just 8 minutes in!
🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/HWaQLqH86C
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 29, 2023
Watch in USA:
A fantastic team goal from Canada as Cyle Larin scores in back-to-back @Concacaf games. 💪 pic.twitter.com/CfGCN2KAwl
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 29, 2023
4th min: Honduras only just avoid Canada going in front by a great tackle from Johnny Leveron. The move was started by Tajon Buchanan who turned on the afterburners and roasted his man down the right side. After cutting into the penalty he squared a ball for Jonathan David in the middle but it was blocked by Leveron’s slide.
1st min: Referee Ivan Barton, who officiated games at the latest World Cup and Club World Cup, blows his whistle for a foul on Stephen Estaquio. Barton is one of the most decorated officials in CONCACAF.
Kickoff: The match is under way at BMO Field! Canada require a win or draw to advance to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, while Honduras must win to move on due to goal differential.
Just before kickoff, Atiba Hutchinson was honored by the Canada federation for earning his 100th cap at the World Cup. He’s currently on 102, and would earn his 103rd cap if he appears off the bench tonight.
ATIBA HUTCHINSON 🇨🇦#CanMNT CENTURION ✨
Congratulations on 100+ games, captain 🫡 pic.twitter.com/VTTK8qlmWh
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 29, 2023
Canada vs Honduras: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more
2 mins to kick: It would appear there are some issues with fans entering BMO Stadium. Hopefully they can get as many folks in as possible before kickoff!
Another #CANMNT game at BMO Field, another staffing issue leading to thousands waiting outside minutes before kickoff.
— Rudi Schuller (@RudiSchuller) March 28, 2023
6 mins to kick: The Canadian squad got a big welcome to Toronto. There’s a lot riding on tonight’s match!
A huge welcome home for #CanMNT 🙌
📸: @CanadaSoccerEN | #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/k6kQWdSjuh
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 28, 2023
17 mins to kick: Before kickoff, some players on the Canada side have been working to raise money for earthquake relief. Here’s the details!
Atiba Hutchinson and Samuel Adekugbe have raised $17,830 in participation with @redcrosscanada in their delivery of emergency relief to those that have been affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Donations are still being collected below.
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 28, 2023
38 mins to kick: A few Canada players are sitting on yellow card suspensions, but there’s some confusion over that situation as well. Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, Richie Laryea, and Milan Borjan would all be suspended for the semifinal should they earn a booking tonight and Canada advance. Alistair Johnston has already served a suspension, while Steven Vitoria is doing so tonight.
However, there’s some uncertainty around Cyle Larin. While CONCACAF’s website does not list Larin having earned a yellow card against Honduras in the reverse fixture last June, many other aggregators do. The Sporting news has reached out to Canada Soccer for clarification but has not yet received a response.
CMNT: It’s a risky one for a few #CanMNT players who could get suspended for the next Nations League game with a yellow card tonight.
– Milan Borjan
– Richie Laryea
– Cyle Larin
– Jonathan David
– Tajon BuchananIf they stay card-less, the records reset for the final four.
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) March 28, 2023
50 mins to kick: As expected, the Honduras lineup is nearly the same one that played in the El Salvador friendly last week. We expected as much after head coach Diego Vasquez made only three substitutions in that game, a rarity for a friendly, indicating it was valuable time together to prepare. There’s just one change, as Kevin Lopez enters for Alberth Elis up front.
60 mins to kick: The Canada lineup is out. Milan Borjan retains his place in goal, while Ismael Kone is also maintained in midfield. The only changes come as Alistair Johnston slides into the back line for Steven Vitoria, while Tajon Buchanan enters for Richie Laryea. Everything else is the same from the win over Curacao, as John Herdman opts for continuity.
The Alistair Johnston 2023 Ballon D’Or campaign has officially started#CanMNT🍁#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/WVNUhepHGv
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) March 28, 2023
72 mins to kick: It’s quite cold in Toronto this evening, around 41 degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s otherwise sunny and clear for tonight’s match! The last time the Canada men were at BMO Field, they clinched a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
A beautiful evening for it tonight at BMO Field 🌅🍁#CanMNT pic.twitter.com/yvqSOIwdEy
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) March 28, 2023
93 mins to kick: It really is remarkable how quickly Canada have risen to continental prominence in North America. Last time around, Les Rouges were narrowly eliminated from the CONCACAF Nations League group stage. This time around, John Herdman wants the silverware.
Interesting too that Herdman says he thinks Honduras will be “patient” even though they know they have to win to advance.
“There’s no bigger moment than when you hold a trophy together.” 🏆#CANMNT Head Coach John Herdman speaks about the challenge that Honduras face and the possibility of playing for a Concacaf title.
🇨🇦 v. 🇭🇳 Tickets: https://t.co/KHYMEkdZ2c#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/ZJui2ajUiP
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 28, 2023
105 mins to kick: The scenario for Canada is simple: win or draw, and they qualify for the Nations League semifinals. For Honduras, it’s even easier: win and you’re in.
However, the scenarios around who plays who also come into play, as the CONCACAF Nations League re-seeds its semifinal rather than holding a draw to determine matchups. Most likely, Canada will play the Group B winner (Panama or Costa Rica), and the United States will play Mexico. However, if Canada and Honduras draw, Les Rouges will play the United States.
The only scenario in which Canada win and are forced to play the United States is if Panama beats Costa Rica by 6+ goals, which is highly unlikely.
Scenarios for the #CanMNT tonight v Honduras
WIN = Nations League semifinal v 🇵🇦 or 🇨🇷
DRAW = Nations League semifinal v 🇺🇸
LOSE = Eliminated from Nations League“If we end our career and we don’t win trophies, then what is the point?” – Stephen Eustáquio
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) March 28, 2023
120 mins to kick: There are a lot of questions surrounding the Canada lineup that manager John Herdman will field tonight. Saturday’s victory in Curacao came via a 3-5-2 lineup with Ismael Kone alongside Jonathan Osorio and Stephen Eustaquio in midfield.
If Herdman deploys Kone again knowing the importance of this match, it could indicate a true faith in the 20-year-old’s future with the national team moving forward. Other options in midfield could include Atiba Hutchinson or Mark-Anthony Kaye.
It’s #CanMNT matchday!
A chance to clinch a spot in the Concacaf Nations League Final Four for the first time.
Here’s how I see Canada lining up tonight against Honduras in Toronto.
Wouldn’t be shocked to see St Clair start tonight. pic.twitter.com/l2Rtmyp7tr
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) March 28, 2023
Canada vs Honduras lineups, team news
Herdman loses veteran center-back Steven Vitoria due to suspension, but he gets Alistair Johnston back after he sat out the last match due to yellow card accumulation. Captain Atiba Hutchinson will have to wait for his 103rd international cap, but vital pair Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David both start.
The team is already without backup goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who is still out with the broken leg he suffered just before the World Cup, while Samuel Piette, Lucas Cavallini, and Junior Hoilett are also unavailable due to injury.
Canada confirmed starting lineup (3-5-2): Borjan (GK) — Kennedy, Cornelius, Johnston — Buchanan, Kaye, Eustaquio, Osorio, Davies — David, Larin.
Canada subs (11): St. Clair (GK), McGill (GK), Zator, Laryea, Hhiebert, Adekugbe, Loturi, Kaye, Hutchinson, Brym, Akinola.
Honduras is coming off a 1-0 win over fellow Central American side El Salvador thanks to an own goal. During the match played in Los Angeles, manager Diego Vasquez used just three substitutes, foreshadowing that there’s very little tinkering in the plans for this match. He makes just one change, as Kevin Lopez enters for Alberth Elis in the attack.
Striker Romell Quioto, in good form with his MLS club team CF Montreal, is the leading Honduras goalscorer, netting 13 times in 64 appearances.
The aforementioned Elis is a 27-year-old winger who plays on loan for French top-flight club Stade Brestois. He spent most of 2022 away from the national team, but returned to play 90 minutes in the friendly against El Salvador, although he’s withdrawn here and could be a late option off the bench should Honduras need goals late.
Honduras confirmed starting lineup (5-2-3): L. Lopez (GK) — F. Flores, Leveron, Maldonada, Garcia, Almendarez — Arriaga, D. Flores — Quioto, Lozano, K. Lopez.
Honduras subs (12): Menjivar (GK), Fonseca (GK), Pereira, Decas, Alvarez, Solano, Rosales, Palma, Martinez, Castellanos, Zuniga, Benguche.
How to watch Canada vs Honduras
- Date: Tuesday, March 28
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Canada: Fubo, Telus (Ch. 980), OneSoccer.ca
- USA: Fubo, TUDN (TV), Paramount+ (subscribers)
Canada: The Nations League group finale will be televised in Canada on OneSoccer on Telus (Ch. 980), and streamed on Fubo as well as OneSoccer.ca.
USA: In the United States, the match will be televised on TUDN (Spanish), with that broadcast also streaming on Fubo, which is available on a free trial for new users. An English-language stream can be accessed on Paramount+ for subscribers.
Canada vs Honduras betting odds, lines
Les Rouges are significant favorites at home, and will be widely expected to take home the victory and advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Interestingly, despite the fact that Canada are given a 1.5 goal handicap advantage (spread), the under 2.5 total goals is also a slight favorite, meaning that the betting market is leaning toward a 2-0 victory for the hosts in Toronto.
Canada win |
Draw | Honduras win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
CAN -1.5 |
HON +1.5 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BetMGM (USA) |
-320 | +360 | +950 | +122 / -155 | -125 / -105 | +100 | -130 |
Sports Interaction (Canada) |
-303 | +360 | +680 | +111 / -175 | -125 / -110 | +102 | -135 |