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Larin scores brilliant brace to lead Canada past Honduras in CONCACAF Nations League

Larin has now scored 28 goals for Canada
Larin has now scored 28 goals for CanadaReuters
Cyle Larin (27) scored a three-minute brace to lead Canada past Honduras 4-1 at BMO Field and into the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals on Tuesday.

Canada's all-time leading scorer wasted no time in putting Honduras to the sword, slotting home the first in the ninth minute and then driving a header home in the 12th to bring his international tally to 28 goals.

Larin could have had a first-half hat-trick but missed from the penalty spot before Jonathan David made it 3-0 shortly after the break.

Jorge Benguche gave Honduras a glimmer of hope by scoring a glancing header with 17 minutes to go but Jonathan Osorio restored Canada's three-goal advantage three minutes before full-time.

The victory earned Canada a spot in the final four in Las Vegas in June along with the United States, Mexico and either Panama or Costa Rica.

"Brilliant, Vegas," Canada coach John Herdman said with a smile. "You've got to get into these big events, that's the first time in our history to get into the Nations League finals and I think this group believes they can win it.

"They've shown a level of performance that should give us hope and belief we can win that Nations Cup final."

It was almost exactly a year ago on the same pitch that Soccer Canada declared "Mission Accomplished" after a 4-0 win over Jamaica saw them qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

After suffering three straight losses in Qatar, Canada returned to action with a 2-0 win over Curacao on Saturday but a return to BMO Field produced a much more inspiring performance, marking the unofficial launch of the next World Cup cycle.

Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the USA and Mexico.