MEXICO City – Mexico are through to the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals thanks to a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Honduras following a dramatic 2-0 victory in the second leg of their League A quarterfinal on Tuesday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Edson Alvarez scored in the final seconds of second half stoppage time to even the aggregate scoreline at 2-2, resulting in penalty kicks. By virtue of their penalty shootout win, not only have Mexico reached the CNL Finals, but they have also qualified for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
Honduras will progress to the Concacaf Nations League Play-In. The winner of the Play-In will qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
Down two goals on aggregate, it was no surprise to see Mexico start on the front foot and they had the Honduran defense pegged back early.
Honduras were starting to craft chances themselves, first on a Jorge Alvarez shot that required a save from Mexico GK Angel Malagon and then a wide-open look that Luis Palma failed to convert.
But it was a Mexico specialty that would break the deadlock in the 44’, with free kick expert Luis Chavez once again producing the spectacular from a set piece and curling in a shot to hand Mexico a 1-0 lead.
The pressure continued from Mexico into the second half, but on a rare foray forward for Honduras on the hour mark, Antony Lozano saw a header from just a few yards out tipped over the crossbar on a reaction save from Malagon.
The final half-hour was all Mexico with the chances coming fast and furious. There was an Alvarez header that flashed wide, Julian Quinones firing wide, Cesar Montes shooting right at Honduras GK Edrick Menjivar and Quinones seeing as shot cleared off the goal-line.
Mexico would get one final crack in the waning seconds and it was enough time for Alvarez to fire into goal to level the aggregate scoreline at 2-2, forcing extra time.
A sending off for Denil Maldonado for a foul gave Mexico a man advantage for the final minutes of extra time, but Honduras held on to send things to a penalty shootout.
In spot kicks, Malagon made a key save on the opening Honduran kick, while Mexico converted all four of their attempts, ultimately resulting in a 4-2 shootout victory and a place in the CNL Finals.
