A second-half goal from veteran striker Raúl Jiménez was enough for Mexico to secure a 1-0 victory over Honduras in their CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
The win sets up a classic final showdown between arch-rivals Mexico and the United States on Sunday in Houston. It will be the eighth time the two nations have met in the championship match.
After a tense and goalless first half, the breakthrough came in the 50th minute. A move started by Alexis Vega found 16-year-old Gilberto Mora near the top of the penalty area. Mora then slid a pass to Jiménez, who dispatched a right-footed shot past Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjívar for his 42nd career international goal.
Mexico appeared to have doubled their lead shortly after when Edson Álvarez scored from a set piece, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
“We had a deserved victory,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said through an interpreter after the match.
Honduras, who reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2013, were unable to find an equaliser against a stout Mexican defence. Goalkeeper Luis Malagón was rarely troubled, having now made only one save in the last three matches, as Mexico extended their run without conceding a goal to 383 minutes.
The loss ends a resilient tournament run for Honduras, who recovered from an opening 6-0 defeat to Canada to reach the last four.
Mexico now looks ahead to the final, seeking their tenth Gold Cup title. The United States, who defeated Guatemala 2-1 in their semi-final, will be aiming for their eighth.
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