First half explosion launches Mexico past Honduras

PHOENIX, Arizona – Mexico exploded for three goals in the first half to pick up a 3-0 victory against Honduras in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The victory sends Mexico to the semifinals, where they will await the winner of Sunday’s Costa Rica-Canada quarterfinal.

It was almost a dream start for Mexico with Hector Herrera connecting on a header that appeared goal-bound, only for Honduras GK Luis Lopez to make the save. Minutes later, Lopez had to spring into action, this time to deny Jonathan dos Santos.

Mexico kept mounting the pressure and the breakthrough would arrive in the 26’ when an inch-perfect cross from Luis Rodriguez met the leaping Rogelio Funes Mori, who turned a header into net for a 1-0 Mexico lead.

Dos Santos might have not connected on his first shot, but he could not have struck his second one any cleaner, as an attempted clearance fell perfectly for Dos Santos to latch onto and volley into net for a 2-0 lead in the 31’.

The Mexico attack kept rolling and Orbelin Pineda stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 38’ by meeting the cross of Jesus Gallardo with a darting run and thumping a header in past Lopez.

Honduras came out strong to start the second half and Mexico GK Alfredo Talavera had to be alert to get down to save a stinging shot from Jerry Bengtson in the 53’.

The Catrachos were keen to pull a goal back and were able to control possession throughout much of the second half, but finding the final touch against the Mexican defense proved elusive.

El Tricolor calmly saw out the final 45 minutes to seal the win and punch their ticket to the semifinals.