Mexico eases past Canada to continue perfect start

Mexico silenced a record crowd of 55,000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, romping to a 3-0 win which served to highlight the gulf that refuses to shorten between it and ambitious Canada.

Javier Hernandez finally broke down what previously resembled an impenetrable wall between the sticks in Milan Borjan, but that was promptly followed by a Hirving Lozano breakaway and smash into the top corner. El Tri added gloss to the three points when Jesus Corona capitalized on some increasingly absent-minded defending from the host in the second half.

Mexico has earned three consecutive wins courtesy of eight unanswered strikes, as it looks to enter the Hex at a mere trot. Canada, meanwhile, has the inadequacies of its rivals to thank in retaining second place and therefore a qualification berth, as El Salvador and Honduras took a point each in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Cuscatlan.

Borjan was putting in a wonderful display until Hernandez planted a header into the top corner, and it would have taken a miraculous show of athleticism to stop what was a devastating finish from Lozano to claim his first goal on the international stage.

Related - VIDEOS: Milan Borjan powerless to prevent quick-fire Mexican double

Canada appeared to tire in the second period, as its efforts to crowd the danger area often left gaps on the corners of the 18-yard box. Doneil Henry's right-hand side was particularly susceptible to Mexican attacks, and this is exactly where Corona cropped up on 72 minutes.

The two teams will face off once again at the Azteca on Tuesday.