- September, 09 2009 -
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MEXICO CITY – Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored the game’s only goal on a 75th minute penalty as Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Wednesday at the Estadio Azteca.
The win was the fourth consecutive for El Tri, as it now holds sole possession of second place with 15 points. The United States (16 points) assumed the top spot thanks to a 1-0 victory over host Trinidad & Tobago earlier in the evening, while Honduras (13 points) dropped from first place to third. Costa Rica (12 points) remains in fourth despite a 1-0 loss at El Salvador.
The top three teams automatically qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, while the fourth-place team faces a playoff against the fifth-place team from South America.
Mexico controlled large portions of the first half, creating many valid scoring opportunities.
In the 7th minute, Efrain Juarez had a good chance, but his attempt from a corner-kick sailed over the crossbar.
Jonny Magallon and Blanco each had shots go wide of the post in the 15th and 21st minutes, respectively, while a rocket from Andres Guardado glanced the crossbar in the 25th minute.
Miguel Sabah, the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup’s leading scorer, had a 32nd minute shot from inside the area saved by Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares goalkeeper.
Seven minutes later, the Morelia forward went wide, when he should have done better with a shot that had Valladares beat.
Honduras gave the impression that it was content to absorb the Mexican pressure in the second half, perhaps hoping to take the first visiting point from Mexico City in 2010 World Cup qualifying.
Despite that tactic, Emilio Izaguirre forced Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into two outstanding saves in the 52nd and 53rd minutes.
The 2009 Gold Cup champion kept advancing, though, as a willing, but somewhat static, Honduran defense became increasingly vulnerable.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Catrachos paid the price for their conservative approach. Maynor Figueroa knocked over Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos in the penalty area, leaving referee Courtney Campbell no choice but to point toward the spot.
Blanco, who plays for the Chicago Fire of the USA’s Major League Soccer, converted the penalty for his 37th goal for Mexico.
An injury-time caution issued to Amado Guevara means that the Honduran captain will miss his team’s next game against the USA on October 10. Mexico, which is 8-0-0 at home in qualifying, will host El Salvador the same day.
