CONCACAF
What do Mexico need to qualify for Nations League finals, 2024 Copa América?
After suffering first-leg defeat on Friday, Mexico have it all to do in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Honduras.
Mexico have been left with an uphill battle to win their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Honduras, after going down 2-0 in the sides’ first leg in Tegucigalpa on Friday.
Lozano, Róchez put Honduras in driving seat
Goals in each half by Anthony Lozano and Bryan Róchez gave the Hondurans a commanding lead in the last-eight tie, whose second leg is to be played at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Tuesday.
Defeat in the first leg not only leaves Mexico on the brink of missing out on March’s Nations League finals, but also places El Tri’s qualification for the 2024 Copa América in doubt.
The Nations League quarter-final winners will all secure a berth at next summer’s Copa América; the four losers, meanwhile, will have to negotiate a play-off round to earn one of CONCACAF’s two remaining spots at the tournament.
What do Mexico need to reach CNL finals, Copa América?
To eliminate Honduras without the need for penalties, Mexico must beat the Central Americans by three or more goals in next week’s return.
If Jaime Lozano’s men win 2-0, the tie will head into 30 minutes of extra time and, if needed, a penalty shoot-out.
The away goals rule is in force in the Nations League quarter-finals - but not in extra time. If Honduras score just once in the Mexican capital during normal time, any tied aggregate scoreline will see the visitors advance.
Put another way: if the Hondurans find the net before extra time, Mexico will - at the very least - need to score a total of four second-leg goals to avoid Nations League elimination.
If Mexico fail to turn their their quarter-final around at the Azteca, they will go into a single-elimination Copa América play-off tie to be held in Frisco, Texas, in March 2024.
Mexico vs Honduras: when, where, how to watch?
Mexico host Honduras in the second leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals on Tuesday 21 November 2023, with kick-off at the Estadio Azteca scheduled for 9:30pm ET/6:30pm PT.
Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on Paramount+.