JOHANNESBURG — Mohamed Abou Trika converted a penalty to earn Egypt a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Zimbabwe Tuesday in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. The veteran netted two minutes from time in the Mediterranean city Alexandria after Hosny Abd Rabou had put Egypt ahead midway through the second half and Knowledge Musona equalized. Abd Rabou scored from a free-kick and Musona off a long-range shot before Mohamed Salah was tripped and United Arab Emirates-based Abou Trika calmly slotted the ball past Washington Arubi. Authorities allowed 10,000 spectators to watch the game in the 90,000-seat Borg El Arab stadium after recent games involving the national team were staged behind closed doors because of post-Arab Spring security concerns. Success maintained the perfect record of the Pharaohs in Group G with nine points from three matches after defeating Mozambique at home and Guinea away last June. Second-placed Guinea have four points with Mozambique on two and Zimbabwe one halfway through the six-round qualifying competition after which the group winners will advance to the final, five-tie phase late this year. Algeria replaced Mali as Group H leader on goal difference after two second half goals secured a 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Benin in Blida, south of the capital city Algiers. US hangs on for point USA survived a second-half onslaught by Mexico to hang on for a 0-0 draw at the Azteca Stadium Tuesday, picking up a crucial qualification point on the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Panama is top of the group with five points after beating Honduras 2-0 on Tuesday with goals from Luis Tejada and Blas Perez. In the other match, Costa Rica blanked Jamaica 2-0. — Agencies
