Mexico punches ticket to 2018 World Cup

A goal by the red hot Hirving Lozano has sent El Tri to Russia 2018.

The first team from CONCACAF to punch its ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is exactly who you’d expect — Mexico. El Tri is comfortably on top of the Hex after a 1-0 win over Panama on Friday night, and the three points it secured ensures none of the teams placed fourth and blow can pass it in the standings.

“Chucky” Hirving Lozano was Mexico’s hero on the night, scoring his team’s only goal off an assist by “Tecatito” Jesus Corona in the first half.

Lozano, a 22-year-old winger, is considered one of Mexico’s top prospects for the future. He moved from Mexican side Pachuca to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie this summer, and he’s off to a hot start with three goals and an assist in his first three games.

Gabriel Torres had a huge chance to equalize for Panama and steal a point, which would have seriously increased its chances of catching the United States for third place in the Hex. Instead, he did... this.

Hopefully the Panamanians can find it in their hearts to forgive him.

Locking up qualification this early will give Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio a chance to experiment. He’s been heavily criticized for some of his lineup choices as Mexico boss, and now he has three qualifying games to tinker with his team without much consequence.