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U.S. beat Mexico to reach World Cup finals
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Second-half goals by Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley gave the United States a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Mexico on Saturday to secure their place in the 2006 World Cup finals. The win means the U.S. have qualified with three games to spare in the CONCACAF group and they join a handful of nations to reach five straight finals. Mexico, who needed just a draw to advance, can make sure when they play Panama at home on Wednesday. "Obviously, this was a great win for he U.S. team," said coach Bruce Arena. "We're really pleased to qualify for Germany. "It was an even first half, but in the second half, coming out and getting the two early goals was pretty big." The pre-match hype surrounding one of football's most fierce rivalries proved off the mark in a listless first half in which neither side threatened. The hosts, who sent Mexico packing with a 2-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup finals, failed to test Oswaldo Sanchez in the Mexico goal as the visitors employed a counter-attacking style. Beasley and Claudio Reyna both had half-hearted attempts at goal for the U.S. but Mexico had the best chance of the first half when a free kick from Ramon Morales was turned around the post by Kasey Keller. Keller has enjoyed a near flawless qualifying campaign and has now gone 507 minutes without conceding a goal, the last coming in the 2-1 loss to Mexico in March. A minute's silence was observed prior to kickoff in memory of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but the respectful crowd in the Colombus Crew stadium had something to cheer about eight minutes after the break. Midfielder Eddie Lewis curled a free kick into the area and it was headed against the woodwork by Oguchi Onyewu, bouncing down for Ralston who nodded home. Five minutes later, Reyna found Beasley with a corner kick and the PSV Eindhoven midfielder slammed a shot past Sanchez to double the lead. SWEET REVENGE Beasley could have added a third in stoppage time, but he sent a great chance wide of the post. The victory was sweet revenge for the U.S. after their defeat earlier in the campaign and striker Landon Donovan made his feelings crystal clear. "They (Mexico) suck," said Donovan, who has endured scathing attacks from Mexican players in their national media. "I'm so happy. After we got that first goal they were never in the game. Hopefully that will shut them up for the next three or four years." After seven games, the U.S. tops the six-nation group with 18 points -- two more than Mexico. Costa Rica, who play Panama later, are in the third qualification spot on seven points along with Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala.
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