Panama and Houston Dynamo defender Adolfo Machado booked their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with controversial 2-1 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday night. Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto scored for Honduras for a 3-2 win over Mexico to send them to a playoff series against Australia, while a 2-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago means the United States misses the World Cup for the first time since 1996.
Machado played 90 minutes in Panama's clinching win. After going down 1-0, Panama was awarded a goal during a goal line scramble involving Blas Perez.