The victory improved Honduras to four points and moved it within two points of the Group C lead in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, while Cuba was pushed to the brink of elimination.

Honduras won its first game in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, getting goals from San Jose Earthquakes teammates Victor Bernardez and Marvin Chavez and another from fellow U.S. based Jerry Bengtson to beat Cuba 3-0 on Friday.

It was a third consecutive loss in World Cup qualifying for Cuba, sixth straight overall and extended its goalless streak to 573 minutes. Its last goal came in a 1-1 friendly draw against Costa Rica in November.

Honduras ended a 239-minute goalless skid of its own when Bengtson tallied off a feed from Georgie Welcome and Emilio Izaguirre in the 33rd minute.

The goal was the first for Bengtson, who scored three at the Olympics, for Honduras since he had both in 2-0 victory over Serbia in November. He has two goals in seven games for the New England Revolution since joining the Major League Soccer club in July.

Honduras, which played without suspended midfielder Roger Espinoza, added an insurance goal in the 62nd when Bernardez converted a free kick. Chavez added a finale in the 92nd minute.

The two will face off again on Tuesday, when Cuba will travel to San Pedro Sula.