Honduras is going to the World Cup for the first time since 1982. Carlos Pavon redeemed himself for last weekend's penalty kick miss against the United States by scoring in the 64th minute, and Honduras beat El Salvador 1-0 Wednesday night to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time. Costa Rica was seconds from getting the third and final automatic berth in North and Central America and the Caribbean before allowing an injury-time goal in a 2-2 tie at the United States. Both Honduras and Costa Rica finished at 5-4-1 with 16 points, but the Catrachos were third on goal difference, plus-2 to even. Costa Rica faces a playoff against Uruguay, hosting the first leg Nov. 14 before playing in South America four days later. Last Saturday, Pavon had an 87th penalty kick in San Pedro Sula and could gave given Honduras a 3-3 tie against the United States, but he put the kick over the crossbar, allowing the U.S. to qualify for its sixth straight World Cup.
