Recap and Highlights: Osorio scores as Canada tie Mexico at Estadio Azteca

TORONTO, Canada—Now do you believe?

The Canadian men’s national team put forth an incredible performance on Thursday night, drawing Concacaf giants Mexico 1-1 at Estadio Azteca in the final stage of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.

Jonathan Osorio, who found the back of the net at the Azteca in 2018 for Toronto FC, dialed back the clock and once again shattered the hearts of Mexican supporters, scoring an equalizer for Les Rouges just before halftime after a wicked pass from Alphonso Davies.

Osorio’s goal was Canada’s first at Estadio Azteca since 1980. Prior to Thursday night, Mexico had outscored Canada 20-0 in their five previous meetings at Azteca.

After the game, Canadian head coach John Herdman praised Osorio, calling his performance against Mexico the best he’d seen from the Toronto FC midfielder in a Canada shirt.

Canada do drop to third place in the region after the U.S. got past Jamaica earlier this evening, but with the draw, Canada have now earned points in arguably their two toughest fixtures in this final stage of World Cup Qualifying: in the United States and now in Mexico.

El Tri, meanwhile, remain tied for first place with the United States.

Although John Herdman and Canada will have to wait to rewrite their narrative in Mexico — a place they have never won — after Thursday night, one thing remains abundantly clear: this team believes they can beat anyone and are legitimate contenders to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Canada will continue their World Cup Qualifying push on Sunday when travel to Jamaica to take on the last-place Reggae Boyz. Allez les rouges!