A brace from Club América striker Henry Martín lifted Mexico to a comeback 4-2 win over Honduras in the knockout round of the Concacaf Nations League.

Mexico initially trailed 2-0 after last Friday’s away match, but started Tuesday’s second leg in Toluca with immediate attacking pressure against Honduras’ back line.

In a first half with fourteen shots, El Tri continuously put forward numbers and regularly tested the opponent’s goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar. In response, Honduras did well to absorb the pressure and gradually tire the home team, who looked frustrated.

Then came a momentum-changing strike from Raúl Jiménez late in the first half.

After a deep run from Chivas left-back Jesus Orozco Chiquete led to a low cross from the centre-back, Jimenez quickly raised his boot to meet the ball which deflected into the Honduras net in the 42nd minute.

After the break, El Tri continued to be proactive with their attack-oriented approach.

Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

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Mexico further strengthened its front line with two real attackers on the pitch thanks to the additions of César Huerta, Jorge Sánchez and Martin from the bench in the 66th minute. The gamble paid off for head coach Javier Aguirre, who quickly took a 2–0 lead in the second half.

Moments after a cross from Alexis Vega’s corner in the 72nd minute, Jimenez deflected the ball slightly and set up Martin with a close-range shot that doubled El Tri’s lead.

After the quarter-finals were level, Mexico’s confidence changed, allowing them to add more goals to the scoresheet.

Vega, who had plenty of time to look for options in the final third in the 85th minute, played a pass to Sanchez, who then fired past Menjivar to make it 3-2.

Martin would then cement their dominant home performance in the 97th minute with a goal from a penalty that secured the aggregate score of 4-2 at the final whistle.

With the result in hand, Mexico and Aguirre have advanced to the semi-finals of the Nations League and qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Honduras will get a second chance to qualify for the Gold Cup through a preliminary competition.

In the first leg of the quarter-final last Friday, Aguirre was hit on the head with a can of beer at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in Honduras. Concacaf responded to the incident by imposing a one-match suspension and a fine on Honduras, while also opening a separate investigation into the Mexican coach’s conduct during the match.

Aguirre brushed off the can-throwing incident, which left him bleeding profusely from his head.