Mexico's Javier Hernandez (pictured) celebrates after scoring against visiting Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier on March 24, 2017, in Mexico City. (Photo: Adid Jimenez/Straffon Images)
MEXICO CITY – Javier Hernandez equaled a historic mark and Mexico (2W-1D-0L, 7 points) earned a 2-0 win over visiting Costa Rica (2-0-1, 6) in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Friday at the Estadio Azteca.
With the result, the Tricolor took over first place in the six-team table, jumping over the Costa Ricans, who saw their eight-game unbeaten run to open the competition come to an end.
The Mexicans went ahead 1-0 in the seventh minute as Carlos Vela slipped a splendid pass for Hernandez, who was racing through the left side of the box. The Bayer Leverkusen star lifted the ball slightly over low-charging goalkeeper Keylor Navas from 12-yards out and into the back of the net.
With the goal, Hernandez joined Jared Borgetti atop the Mexico goal chart at 46 each.
Nestor Araujo doubled Mexico’s advantage in 45th minute. Vela once again provided the service, delivering an in-swinging corner kick from the right to far post, where the 25-year-old Santos defender beat Navas with a low header that barely crossed the line.
Mexico scored two goals or more for the seventh time in nine matches during its 2018 WCQ campaign.
Next up on March 28, 2017
Mexico: away v Trinidad & Tobago
Costa Rica: away v Honduras
