WCQ Game Guide: Mexico v Honduras

Action from the World Cup qualifier between host Mexico and Honduras (white/blue jersey) on September 6, 2016, in Mexico City. (Photo: Straffon Images)

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

CONCACAF Qualifying -- Final Round, Matchday 5

Match: Mexico v Honduras

Venue: Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico Time: 10:00 p.m. ET

MATCH OFFICIALS R: Drew Fischer (Canada) AR1: Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica) AR2: Richard Gamache (Canada) 4th: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts & Nevis)

SUSPENSIONS Mexico: none Honduras: none

ALL-TIME WCQ SERIES Mexico leads: 10W-5D-5L (32GF, 18GA)

LAST WCQ MEETING September 6, 2016: Mexico 0, Honduras 0

FIVE MATCH WCQ FORM Mexico: WWDWD Honduras: DLWLD

CONCACAF QUALIFYING RESULTS

Mexico (Overall record: 8W-2D-0L … 18GF, 2GA) 13.11.15 Mexico v El Salvador 3-0 17.11.15 Honduras v Mexico 0-2 25.03.16 Canada v Mexico 0-3 29.03.16 Mexico v Canada 2-0 02.09.16 El Salvador v Mexico 1-3 06.09.16 Mexico v Honduras 0-0 11.11.16 USA v Mexico 1-2 15.11.16 Panama v Mexico 0-0 24.03.17 Mexico v Costa Rica 2-0 28.03.17 Trinidad & Tobago v Mexico 0-1

Honduras (Overall record: 3W-3D-4L … 10GF, 15GA) 13.11.15 Canada v Honduras 1-0 17.11.15 Honduras v Mexico 2-0 25.03.16 El Salvador v Honduras 2-2 29.03.16 Honduras v El Salvador 2-0 02.09.16 Honduras v Canada 2-1 06.09.16 Mexico v Honduras 0-0 11.11.16 Honduras v Panama 0-1 15.11.16 Honduras v Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 24.03.17 USA v Honduras 6-0 28.03.17 Honduras v Costa Rica 1-1

CONCACAF QUALIFYING SCORERS

Mexico: Jesus Corona (3); Andres Guardado, Javier Hernandez (2); Nestor Araujo, Jurgen Damm, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez, Miguel Layun, Hirving Lozano, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Angel Sepulveda, Carlos Vela (1)

Honduras : Romell Quioto (3); Antony Lozano (2); Alberth Elis, Oscar Garcia, Eddie Hernandez, Emilio Izaguirre, Mario Martinez (1)

FINAL ROUND SUMMARY

Mexico : Undefeated through four Hexagonal matches, first-place Mexico (3W-1D-0L, 10 points) has a three-point lead over second-place Costa Rica and Panama -- the next nearest competitor -- trails by five points. It would take a severe turn of events for the Tricolor not to qualify for Russia 2018, but even if its offense is not firing on all cylinders, a defense that has conceded only one final-round goal can always be relied upon. Amazingly, Mexico has atop the Hexagonal table only once – the inaugural edition in 1998. Accomplishing that feat again would send a strong message to the rest of the region.

Honduras : With only one win through four Hexagonal games, fifth-place Honduras (1W-1D-2L, 4 points) may need to rely on history in order to get its Russia 2018 campaign back on track. In their last two WCQ at the Estadio Azteca, the Hondurans have posted a win (2013: 2-1) and a draw (2016: 0-0). After splitting its opening two games in the CONCACAF Hexagonal, Honduras fell 6-0 to the host USA and then – after taking a 1-0 lead via an Antony Lozano (34’) goal – settled for a 1-1 draw with visiting Costa Rica.

FAST FACTS

Mexico

• Played in every World Cup from USA 1994 through Brazil 2014 … reached Round of 16 in each edition.
• Holds record for most Hexagonal goals scored (91).
• Scored one goal or fewer in three of last five WCQs, zero in two of those outings.
• Fourteen different players have scored Mexico’s 18 goals during 2018 WCQ.
• Shares record with Costa Rica for most goals scored in a single Hexagonal (both scored 23 in 1998).

Honduras

• Qualified for three FIFA World Cups, including the last two (1982, 2010, 2014).
• Never won more than five games in three previous Hexagonal appearances.
• Conceded one goal or fewer in six of last seven WCQs.
• Scored one goal or fewer in four of last five WCQ matches, zero in three of those outings.
• Earned 2017 Copa Centroamericana title by finishing atop six-team table with 4W-1D-0L record.
• Competing in fourth Hexagonal.