El Salvador vs. Mexico: Score, Reaction from World Cup 2018 Qualifier

Behind a second-half surge, Mexico defeated El Salvador 3-1 in CONCACAF qualifying play for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Friday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Mexico was already sitting pretty in Group A. With four wins in four matches for 12 points, El Tri had an eight-point lead over second-place Honduras entering Friday, ensuring Mexico would take the top spot in the group in Round 4.

But the last time Mexico played competitively was during the Copa America, when it was drubbed 7-0 by Chile in the quarterfinals, so there was some added pressure to put on a good performance.

Against an El Salvador squad that hadn't recorded a win in its first four matches, Mexico expected to get back to its winning ways.

The home side managed to make things uncomfortable to start, however, earning a corner and forcing a save from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa within the first five minutes. 

Things got even worse for Mexico when Jorge Torres Nilo conceded a penalty after handling the ball in the box. 

Up stepped Alexander Larin, who sent his left-footed penalty into the middle of the goal, Panenka style, to give El Salvador an unlikely lead, via beIN Sports USA:

Going a goal down seemed to jolt Mexico into the game as it began to dominate possession while creating chances.

El Tri finally found an equalizer in the 52nd minute via Hector Moreno. Off a perfectly placed free kick from the right of El Salvador's box, Moreno redirected the cross into the back of the net, as Seleccion Nacional showed:

Six minutes later, Mexico took the lead when Angel Sepulveda, who was making his debut with the national team, headed home Hector Herrera's cross, via beIN Sports USA:

Roberto Dominguez dug El Salvador's hole even deeper when he took down Sepulveda in the box to give Mexico a penalty kick.

Raul Jimenez gave El Tri a two-goal lead when he softly sent his penalty into the center of the goal 73 minutes in to cap off the scoring.

Mexico, which has wrapped up the top spot in Group A, has won all five of its matches in Round 4 thus far. The Mexicans will face Honduras in their last match Tuesday before they begin preparing for the final round of qualifying.