Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0, while Costa Rica beat Honduras 3-0 to complete the draw for the 16-team Copa América to be played in the United States in the middle of the year.

Goals from Cyle Larin and Jacob Sheffelburg in the final half-hour gave Canada victory in the first of two playoff games played Saturday in Frisco, Texas.

The Canadians will attend the Copa América for the first time and will star in the opening duel on June 20 against the current champion, Argentina, in Atlanta.

In the final match and with Keylor Navas in goal, Costa Rica turned things around and beat Honduras 3-1 to qualify for their sixth Copa América. Argentina coach Gustavo Alfaro's team opens against Brazil on June 24 in Inglewood, California.

Orlando Galo, Warren Madrigal and Jefferson Brenes scored their first goals with the Costa Rican senior team.

From the start, Larin broke the resistance of the Caribbean team by finishing with his left foot inside the area after Iké Ugbos' pass. The Spanish striker from Mallorca has scored 29 goals in 66 international appearances.

Sheffelburg scored in the first minute of stoppage time, scoring with their left foot after a pass from Jonathan David.

In addition to facing Lionel Messi's Argentina in Group A, Canada will face Peru on June 25 in Kansas City, Kansas, and Chile on June 29 in Orlando, Florida.

“I'm super happy for our fans,” said Mauro Biello, Canada's interim coach. “The meaning is enormous. “Being able to participate in a Copa América and play against the world champions.”

Canada has only faced the Albiceleste once in its history and lost 5-0 in May 2010 in Buenos Aires.

Four days after facing Brazil in Group D, Costa Rica will face Colombia in Glendale, Arizona. The Ticos will close the first round against Paraguay on July 2 in Austin, Texas.

“I prefer to play against Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and England rather than against other teams, even if we are going through a bad moment, because that is the lesson,” said Alfaro, who captains a replacement process in the Costa Rican team. time for the lesson. » and become competitive.

Canada and Costa Rica join the United States, Mexico, Panama and Jamaica in the South American National Team Championship which handed out invitations to six teams from North, Central and of the Caribbean.

Honduras took the lead in the 10th minute after a cross pass from Edwin Rodríguez in the penalty area, which Jerry Bengston took with his back to goal and passed the ball to Michaell Chirinos with a backheel. His volley went past Navas for his first score in 22 international matches.

Costa Rica equalized a minute later when Manfred Ugalde's header from a Brenes corner was parried by goalkeeper Jonathan Rougier and Galo capitalized to finish home.

Madrigal gave the Ticos the lead in the 56th minute with a 16-yard shot and Brenes sealed the match in the 62nd with a 30-yard shot that deflected off defender Raúl Santos.