St Johnstone star David Wotherspoon has helped Canada take a big step towards a place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar after playing in a 4-1 win over Panama in Toronto last night to maintain their unbeaten record in qualifying.

The St Johnstone star was named in the starting XI and played just over an hour as the hosts climbed above their opponents into third place in CONCACAF’s Final Round qualifying standings – four points off leaders Mexico and only one behind the United States.

Canada actually fell behind to an early Roland Blackburn goal before drawing level by the break thanks to an own goal, watched by the biggest crowd to watch the national team in Toronto as 26,622 fans came out to cheer on John Herdman’s side.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies fired the Canadian’s into the lead with a stunning effort before Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David rounded off the scoring on a memorable night for the home side.

Canada’s last World Cup appearance came in 1986 and with them now sitting in a qualification spot ahead of the conclusion of qualifying in March.

To reach the Concacaf Final Round, Canada won their First Round group against Aruba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Suriname, then eliminated Haiti in a head-to-head second round tie, with Canada making it through to the final stage for the first time since 1997.

Herdman’s side still has seven more games to go through so there is plenty for them still to do if Wotherspoon and his international teammates are to book a place in Qatar next winter.

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