Paulo Wanchope scored both goals as Costa Rica defeated Guatemala 2-1and moved to the top of Group E in the Semifinal Round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. Mexico struggled to break down a massed Canadian defense, finally using a goal from Jose Manuel Abundis and an own goal by Paul Fenwick for a 2-0 victory in Mexico City. The loss all but eliminates the Gold Cup champions from qualifying after just three games. Costa Rica now sits on six points from three matches, thanks to their second consecutive home victory. The United States can move into second place ahead of Guatemala if it beats Barbados by more than two goals. Wanchope opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he finally headed home from nearly the goal line as the ball bounced around the Guatemala penalty area on a cross from Hernan Medford, the only survivor of the only Costa Rica team to reach the World Cup finals in 1990. Wanchope, who transferred from West Ham to Manchester City in Englandés Premier League last week, then added his second just before the hour as he was first to a ball played behind the Guatemalan defense, poking past shaky Guatemalan keeper Edgar Estrada as he came rushing off his line then slotting home into the empty goal. Substitute Dwight Pezzarossi pulled a goal back for Guatemala, heading home from inside the penalty spot to set up a tense final 20 minutes. But it was Costa Rica who had the better final stretch, seeing two goals disallowed. The match finished on an unsavory note with a string of nasty tackles and a wild melee. Guatemalan defender Gustavo Cabrera was sent off just before full time. Mexico found it heavy weather against a Canadian side often with all 11 players behind the ball, much to the chagrin of the crowd of 50,000 in Mexico City. The match was played at midday to avoid the heavy afternoon rains.