PHOENIX, Arizona – Mexico and Honduras will renew their storied rivalry when they square off on Saturday in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
It will be the seventh Gold Cup meeting between the two sides, with Mexico holding a 3W-2D-1L advantage. Overall, Saturday night’s affair marks the 39th contest as Mexico seek to improve upon their 22W-9D-7L all-time record against the Central Americans.
State Farm Stadium will provide a familiar setting for the two sides since their last Gold Cup match was played in Glendale in which Mexico captured a 1-0 quarterfinal triumph thanks to a Rodolfo Pizarro goal.
Mexico will be feeling very confident as they head into the quarterfinal round having not conceded a goal in the group stage. It marked the first time in El Tricolor’s history that they did not concede a goal in a four-team group in the group stage.
Up top, FW Rogelio Funes Mori will be the man to watch. The Monterrey striker scored a pair of goals in the 3-0 win over Guatemala and came within inches of adding to that total in the 1-0 win versus El Salvador. The 30-year-old should be primed for a big performance, with fellow attacker Jesus Corona and midfield operator Hector Herrera (2 assists) also aiding the cause.
Honduras also have every reason to believe that they can claim a first Gold Cup win over Mexico since the 2007 group stage (2-1). The Catrachos scored seven goals during the group stage, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.
Even though Honduras are plagued with injuries to key players, like FW Alberth Elis, the Catrachos still boast scoring threats like FW Jerry Bengtson, who has four career Gold Cup goals, while also enjoying the support of midfield workhorses Deybi Flores (4 fouls received) and Alex Lopez (1 goal, 2 assists).
Two teams who know each other so well will no doubt make for a scintillating affair with a semifinal berth on the line.
