Martin MacMahon, Sportsnet.ca

VANCOUVER -- Christine Sinclair booked Canada’s trip to the London Olympics Friday night, scoring two goals as her team defeated Mexico 3-1 at BC Place in front of 22,954 fans.

“We gave up that goal in the second half. In the past we would have collapsed, but we just kept going and kept battling, and got that third goal to close out the game,” Sinclair told sportsnet.ca following the victory.

With her goals, Sinclair now has 129 in her career for Canada, and is third on the all-time list alongside United States star Abby Wambach. The Burnaby, B.C., native also has goals in six consecutive matches at international level.

“It’s the qualification games that are more nerve-wracking than the actual games in the tournament, because obviously if you lose you don’t even get to go,” Sinclair said.

“I think it’s a huge step for us, especially with Canada hosting the next World Cup (in 2015). To show that we can put on an event like this and get the support we did for a qualification tournament -- so this is just a start for the next World Cup.”

Sportsnet's John Molinaro considers what this win means for Team Canada

Melissa Tancredi also found the net for Canada, scoring the second goal of the game in the 23rd minute after a set-up from Kelly Parker.

With the win, Canada continues its dominance over Mexico, improving its all-time record to 17-1-1 against its regional rivals.

Canada got things started through Sinclair in the 15th minute, as she made a late run into the box after a cross from Lauren Sesselmann found Tancredi. The 30-year-old forward used her left foot to find the rushing Sinclair, who took a touch before firing past a helpless Cecilia Santiago to give Canada the lead.

“I took a touch that, I wasn’t sure how the goalie was going to react to it,” Sinclair said. “But then when I looked up, she was in sort of no-man’s land and I saw her go down, so I knew to put it up, and it went in.”

Six minutes later, Sinclair did her best to return the favour for Tancredi, sending her through on goal with a lob over the Mexican defence. The forward controlled the ball well but scuffed her outside-of-the-foot strike to the right of Santiago’s goal.

Twenty-three minutes in, Canada made it 2-0 through Tancredi. Rhian Wilkinson played a ball into Sinclair in the box, who then touched on to Kelly Parker. The midfielder then crossed across goal for Tancredi to finish easily from close range.

The play initially caused more fright than jubilation for the Canadians, as Sinclair was clattered by Marylin Diaz and appeared to suffer an ankle injury. After limping off in obvious discomfort, Canada’s captain returned to the pitch after a few minutes.

Mexico continued to target Sinclair following her return, as Maribel Dominguez clipped the 28-year-old’s ankles in the 38th minute, causing her to go down hard. Referee Dianne Ferreira-James spotted the foul and promptly carded the Mexican skipper.

Sinclair seemed to run off her injury, and found herself through on goal on 40 minutes, as Sophie Schmidt picked out the attacker with a wonderful ball from around centre. Sinclair’s left-foot effort was saved well by Santiago to keep the score at 2-0.

One minute later the Mexicans had their best chance of the half, as goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc scuffed her clearance and the ball founds its way to Teresa Noyola. Fortunately for Canada, Noyola rushed her effort and fired comfortably wide of the stranded LeBlanc’s goal.

In the final minute of the second half, Canada once again looked dangerous, as Marlene Sandoval gave the ball away deep in the Mexican half. The ball eventually found Christina Julien, but she was closed down quickly, allowing Santiago to gather safely.

Canada’s first opportunity of the second half happened two minutes in. Julien appeared to be wide open after Tancredi found her with a pass from the ground, but the forward fired well wide when it looked easier to score.

Mexico got their first real chance in the 55th minute, as Anisa Guajardo crossed into Dominguez, but the striker couldn’t get on the end of the ball.

Two minutes later, Canada made its first substitution, as Kaylyn Kyle replaced Julien, and in the 63rd minute Melanie Booth replaced Sesselmann.

In the 67th minute, Wilkinson scuffed a clearance, which landed at the feet of Monica Ocampo on the left flank. Ocampo controlled well before hitting a powerful effort at LeBlanc, but the ‘keeper acrobatically knocked it over the bar to safety.

On the ensuing corner, taken by Dinora Garza, LeBlanc punched out, but an unmarked Veronica Perez blasted it through the crowd to bring the score to 2-1.

In the 74th minute, head coach John Herdman used his final substitution, bringing Brittany Timko on for Schmidt.

A minute later, Tancredi hit a wonderful pass behind the Mexican defence toward the onrushing Sinclair. Canada’s captain opted to chip Santiago, and her ball took a bounce before going straight into the Mexican goal to restore the two-goal cushion.

“It was incredible,” Sinclair said of the pass. “Tank and I have had quite the connection this tournament. When she’s healthy, she’s such a force out there and takes attention away from me -- she’s incredible to play with.”

Chrystal Martinez came into the game for Ocampo in the 86th minute.

Dominguez had a strike in the 88th minute after a back heel from Perez, but LeBlanc held on well, making the swerving shot look less dangerous than it probably was.

In the final minute Tancredi found a rushing Kyle, but the chance came to nothing.

Canada now prepares for a bragging rights final against the United States on Sunday evening.

“We’re going to enjoy this tonight, and then tomorrow we’re going to get right back at it,” LeBlanc said. “We think it’s important to enjoy this, because I was there eight years ago when we lost (and failed to qualify for the Olympics) and that was so gutting.

“This is a feeling you want to remember, so that down the line you remember what it feels like to be on this end.”

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