Mexico are staring down the barrel of disaster as they host Honduras in the second leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday.
A woeful 2-0 first-leg defeat on the road last Friday has put El Tri in a precarious position, needing to turn around the aggregate scoreline in order to secure automatic qualification to next summer’s Copa America in the United States.
Should Mexico falter in this match at home and fail to advance to the Nations League semifinal, not only would they be eliminated from a main continental competition far earlier than expected, but they would be forced to navigate a one-game playoff in March to reach the Copa America.
Failing to reach the Copa America would set off alarm bells across the El Tri fanbase and media, and would be exceedingly harmful in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. With Mexico exempt from CONCACAF qualifying as they will joint host the 2026 tournament, the Copa America would provide valuable competitive action against top-class teams, and missing out would be a brutal blow to the proud North American footballing nation.
The Sporting News is following the Mexico versus Honduras match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Mexico vs Honduras live score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Mexico | – | – |
| Honduras | – | – |
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. local (9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT)
Location: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico)
Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)
Predicted lineups:
Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): Malagon (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, J. Vazquez, Gallardo — Romo, E. Alvarez, E. Sanchez — Antuna, Gimenez, H. Lozano.
Honduras (4-2-3-1, right to left): Menjivar (GK) — Najar, Maldonado, Vega, Rosales — Flores, J. Alvarez — Rivas, E. Rodriguez, Palma — A. Lozano.
Mexico vs Honduras live updates, highlights, commentary
2 hours to kickoff: In one of their most important matches since the early 2022 World Cup exit, El Tri will be without their heart and soul, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. “Memo” was forced off the pitch in the 22nd minute of the first leg, replaced by Club America goalkeeper Luis Malagon.
With uncapped Julio Gonzalez of Pumas called up in his place, the remaining available goalkeepers have a combined four total caps to their name, with three of those belonging to Malagon. It seems likely that Malagon will start today, but whoever gets the nod, the absence of legendary Ochoa is a massive loss for El Tri.
His leadership has been relegated to the social media world, where he posted, “In our house, with our fans, we will turn it around!!! Together until the last minute!!!”
En NUESTRA CASA y con NUESTRA GENTE le damos vuelta!!! … JUNTOS hasta el último minuto!!! 🏟️ #VamosTodos @miseleccionmx @EstadioAzteca pic.twitter.com/8HLsqHHGzl
— Guillermo Ochoa (@yosoy8a) November 19, 2023
Mexico vs Honduras lineups, team news
Mexico suffered an injury blow in the first leg, with veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa forced to withdraw from the squad with a leg injury. He was replaced by uncapped Pumas goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez, leaving the options in net for El Tri extremely thin.
It remains to be seen whether Jaime Lozano will ring the changes from the disappointing defeat in Honduras, or if he will stick to his starters and trust them to turn it around.
One player who could be at risk of being dropped is Orbelin Pineda, who started in the first leg but was hauled off at halftime in favor of Uriel Antuna. It’s unlikely that in-form 22-year-old striker Santiago Gimenez, who has 15 goals in 15 games for Feyenoord this season, would come out for Raul Jimenez who only just notched his first goal for Fulham nearly a third of the way into the campaign.
Mexico projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Malagon (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, J. Vazquez, Gallardo — Romo, E. Alvarez, E. Sanchez — Antuna, Gimenez, H. Lozano.
Mexico subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
It’s hard to imagine Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda changing much from their triumph on Friday at home. Standout players from that match include midfield duo Jorge Alvarez and Deybi Flores, with the latter winning all six of his tackles defensively, clogging up the middle of the field.
Bookings to Rigoberto Rivas, Joseph Rosales, and goal scorer Anthony Lozano in the first leg mean they are at risk of picking up an accumulation suspension with another caution at any point through the rest of the Nations League.
Honduras projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Menjivar (GK) — Najar, Maldonado, Vega, Rosales — Flores, J. Alvarez — Rivas, E. Rodriguez, Palma — A. Lozano.
Honduras subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
How to watch Mexico vs Honduras
- Date: Tuesday, November 21
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT
- USA Streaming (English): Paramount+
- USA TV/Streaming (Spanish): UniMas, TUDN; Fubo USA, TUDN app, Univision NOW
- Canada TV/Streaming: OneSoccer; Fubo Canada.
English language broadcasts of the entire CONCACAF Nations League, with the exception of USMNT matches, can be found in the United States exclusively on CBS streaming service Paramount+.
A Spanish language broadcast is available in the United States via UniMas and TUDN, both of which can be streamed on Fubo.
In Canada, the match can be found on OneSoccer, which is available to stream on Fubo.
Mexico vs Honduras betting odds, lines
| Mexico win |
Draw | Honduras win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 3 goals |
MEX -2 |
HON +2 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings (USA) |
-650 | +600 | +1100 | +160 / -235 | -110 / -135 | -120 | -120 |