Honduras qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil late Tuesday by clinching the last of the automatic qualifying spots in North and Central America and the Caribbean, while Mexico stayed in contention by claiming the play-off spot after Panama suffered a heartbreaking loss to the United States.

Needing only a point to qualify, Honduras made sure of their place by drawing 2-2 with Jamaica in Kingston to join the US and Costa Rica as the three automatic qualifiers from the CONCACAF region after a dramatic final round of matches.

Regional heavyweights Mexico were minutes away from missing out on the fourth-placed play-off spot when they were beaten 2-1 in Costa Rica and Panama held a 2-1 lead over the Americans.

But Panama, who needed to win to leapfrog Mexico in the six-nation qualifying tournament, conceded two goals in stoppage time to lose 3-2, prompting shock, disbelief and jubilation among Mexican fans.

“Playoff courtesy of the gringos,” former Mexican President Felipe Calderon tweeted.

“What happened?”

Mexico now face Oceania winners New Zealand in a two-leg playoff in November in an effort to continue their long streak of World Cup appearances while Honduras will make their third appearance at the game’s showpiece event.

Honduras made the perfect start against Jamaica when Carlo Costly scored in the first minute but the home side, who failed to win a match in the final round, drew level two minutes later through Je-Vaughn Watson.

Honduras regained the lead after 33 minutes to go into the break with a 2-1 advantage when Maynor Figeuroa scored off a freekick but Jamaica equalised in the second half when Rodolph Austin converted a penalty.

Anxious moments

Honduras survived some anxious moments but their defence held firm before the players celebrated booking their passage to next year’s finals in Brazil.

The win also triggered celebrations in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.

Thousands of people poured into the streets waving national flags and soccer strips as fireworks lit up the night sky.

“All of us Hondurans are happy, we’ve qualified for the World Cup. When we unite, we win,” President Porfirio Lobo told local radio.

Lobo said today was a holiday for government employees so they can celebrate.