Mexico beats Honduras/ Concacaf Nations League results/ Nations League semifinals/ El Tri comeback/ Raul Jimenez goals/ MEXICO CITY/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mexico stormed past Honduras with a 4-0 victory on Tuesday, overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit to secure a 4-2 aggregate win in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. El Tri’s dominant performance, highlighted by goals from Raul Jimenez and Henry Martin, booked their place in the semifinals alongside the United States, Panama, and Canada.
Mexico vs. Honduras Recap: Quick Looks
- Final Score: Mexico 4, Honduras 0 (Aggregate: 4-2).
- Standout Players: Raul Jimenez, Henry Martin, and Jorge Sanchez were instrumental in the comeback.
- Key Stats: Mexico controlled 77% possession and registered nine shots on target.
- Semifinalists: Mexico, U.S., Panama, and Canada advance to the next round in March 2025.
- Turning Point: Jimenez’s opening goal reignited El Tri’s chances, with Martin sealing the victory late.
Mexico beats Honduras 4-0 to Reach Nations League Semifinals
Deep Look
El Tri delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, defeating Honduras 4-0 in the second leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matchup. The victory, powered by Raul Jimenez and Henry Martin, erased the two-goal deficit from the first leg and secured Mexico’s spot in the tournament semifinals.
The Comeback Begins
Trailing 2-0 after a disappointing first-leg loss in Honduras, Mexico returned to Estadio Azteca with determination. The team dominated possession from the start, controlling 80% of the ball by the 56th minute. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Jesus Orozco. The left center-back’s deep run into the attacking third caught Honduras off guard, and Jimenez capitalized to halve the aggregate deficit.
Despite overwhelming possession and sustained pressure, Mexico struggled to find their second goal until the 72nd minute. Alexis Vega delivered a perfect outswinging corner from the right, which eventually found Henry Martin. Martin, who had only been on the field for six minutes, connected with a volley to level the aggregate score at 2-2.
Late Heroics Seal the Deal
As extra time loomed, Mexico pressed for a decisive goal. Right-back Jorge Sanchez redeemed himself in the 85th minute, making up for an earlier miss with a stunning strike. Vega’s lobbed through ball split the Honduran defense, and Sanchez finished with precision to put El Tri ahead 3-2 on aggregate.
Henry Martin capped off the night with a penalty in the 96th minute, securing his brace and confirming Mexico’s 4-0 win.
Dominance by the Numbers
Mexico’s dominance was evident in the match statistics:
- Possession: 77% for Mexico, a testament to their control.
- Shots on Target: Mexico registered nine compared to Honduras’ two.
- Big Chances: Mexico created five clear opportunities, while Honduras managed none.
The result showcased Mexico’s ability to rise to the occasion under pressure, a performance that head coach Javier Aguirre will hope to replicate in the semifinals.
The Road Ahead
Mexico joins the U.S., Panama, and Canada in the Nations League semifinals. The next FIFA-recognized international break is scheduled for March 2025, giving El Tri time to regroup and prepare.
This victory also signals Mexico’s progress under Aguirre, as they look to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host.
