A second night of action in the CONCACAF Nations League knockout stages offered little surprise as regional powerhouse pair Canada and Mexico were on the road looking for first-leg wins in Suriname and Honduras.

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Here’s what’s happened so far tonight.

Hoilett spares Canadian blushes

Scorers: Hoilett 82′

In a match separated by 100 places in the official FIFA rankings, CONCACAF giants Canada secured a crucial but disappointing 1-0 win in the first leg in Suriname despite the absence of star player Alphonso Davies.

Early heroics from Groningen’s Etienne Vaessen and a goal on both posts from Canada’s Tani Oluwaseyi helped Suriname try their luck in the first half, but the floodgates finally gave way late in the second stanza.

But that would not happen until late in the second half, with Suriname holding out in front of the home support as Lille star Jonathan David became the provider with a ball across Junior Hoilett’s goal to slot his close-range effort past Vaessen in the 82nd. minute.

It was a heavy blow for Surinamese boss Stanley Menzo, who did so well in keeping Canada off the scoresheet while showing real threat on the counter on a large scale.

With that result, Canada takes a decisive away goal to Toronto for the return match, matching the results of both the United States and Panama.

Still to come

Photo credits: © Erik Williams | July 1, 2023