Mexico vs. Honduras: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Mexico picked up a 2-0 win over Honduras on Thursday night at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna in Chiapas, Mexico.

These two sides are no strangers to one another. With both coming from the CONCACAF region, they're generally in a battle over a World Cup place every few years.

Usually Honduras are looking up at Mexico, but this past World Cup cycle, Los Catrachos finished third in the fourth-round qualifying table, four points ahead of El Tri. Honduras handed Mexico one of its worst home defeats ever, going into Estadio Azteca and beating the hosts 2-1. The national federation wasted little time in sacking then-manager Jose Manuel De la Torre.

However, Mexico have been a vastly different team since Miguel Herrera took over. He helped the team qualify for the 2014 World Cup and also brought back some of the confidence and belief to the players that was sorely lacking under De la Torre.

"We seek the best preparation to give as much as possible to our fans," Herrera said before the match, per Goal's Sacha Pisani. "Often we succeed, sometimes it hasn't been achieved. However, you cannot doubt that always, without exception, we work with one goal in mind to win, to improve, to give maximum effort."

Although the Gold Cup is a little less than a year away, Mexico supporters were unlikely to settle for anything other than a commanding, or at the very least, comfortable performance from El Tri playing at home. Mexico didn't go above and beyond, but they did enough to overcome the opposition.

Javier Hernandez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. The Real Madrid striker got in behind the Honduran defense and fired an impressive shot into the far post and past goalkeeper Donis Escober.

With the score, he moved one goal behind Cuauhtemoc Blanco on Mexico's all-time scoring list, per Mexican football journalist Tom Marshall:

The biggest question surrounding the Mexican attack is whether Hernandez can play together with Oribe Peralta. Peralta looked better during qualifying, but Chicharito is one of the most talented players among El Tri's ranks. They've seemingly played better when the other wasn't on the pitch.

If Herrera can get the two forming a strong partnership up front, few CONCACAF defenses would be able to handle the Mexico forward line.

While Hernandez's confidence will grow after his goal, the more encouraging aspect of the buildup was the fact that Peralta provided the assist. He placed the pass perfectly at Hernandez's feet.

Marshall also credited Marco Fabian with regaining possession to quickly start the attack:

Mexico's second goal came in the 37th minute in rather straightforward fashion. Oswaldo Alanis headed home a corner from Fabian. Fox Soccer's Kyle McCarthy felt that the marking from the Honduran defenders was very poor, which it admittedly was. Alanis was the only player to jump for the ball:

That goal was the last real action of the match. Between second-half substitutions and Mexico's rear-guard action in the second half, neither team created much after halftime. Herrera was content to hold onto his lead, while Honduras couldn't find the pass that would unlock the El Tri defense.

ESPN FC's Cesar Hernandez felt that it wasn't a great performance from El Tri on the night, but after the Hernandez goal, they looked a much stronger outfit:

Grades

Javier Hernandez, Mexico: B+

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Hernandez looked good on Thursday, but it wasn't any sort of otherworldly showing.

Many El Tri fans should be heartened by the fact that Chicharito not only scored but that Peralta also had a hand in it. The critics will say that this is only a friendly, but the players can only beat the teams in front of them. Plus, Honduras will be part of Mexico's competition in the Gold Cup and in World Cup qualification, so it's always nice to see Chicharito finding the back of the net against CONCACAF foes.

This was a good start for Hernandez. The key will be continue to improve and finding a groove under Herrera, which he's failed so far to do since the coach has taken over.

Also, Chicharito's grade gets docked for his poor goal celebration. He earned no style points there.

Hector Herrera, Mexico: A

Without Hector Herrera, who knows how Mexico would've performed in this match? No one player is more responsible for Mexico hitting its stride in the first half and controlling the match up until he was subbed off in the 60th minute.

Both Cesar Hernandez and Bleacher Report's Jerrad Peters felt that Herrera helped to right the ship when El Tri were looking a little shaky early on:

Miguel Herrera's system demands that somebody in midfield marshal the game. Hector Herrera looks like he'll be one of Mexico's most important players over the coming months.

Andy Najar, Honduras: C-

Andy Najar was one of the few creative sparks in this Honduras team, and his performance was lacking on Thursday. Part of that was down to the organized Mexican defense. It's difficult doing everything on your own when the opponent is dropping deeper in the pitch.

At only 21 years old, Najar's best days are still ahead, but there's no question that he'll need to take an increased role in the national team if Honduras are to qualify for the World Cup in a few years.

Emilio Izaguirre, Honduras: C+

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Emilio Izaguirre had a bright start to the match, but Hernandez's goal had a knock-on affect for the Celtic left-back. With Mexico taking the lead, Herrera felt more comfortable adopting a more controlled, careful approach. Alanis' goal sealed Izaguirre's fate.

With Honduras unable to get out on the counter, Izaguirre could provide much overlap and use his pace to catch the Mexico back four off guard.

What's Next?

Mexico remain in the continent for their next friendly as they welcome in Panama on Sunday. After that, El Tri have a World Cup rematch in the form of a friendly date with the Netherlands on Nov. 12.

Honduras take on the United States on Tuesday, with Japan on the schedule on Nov. 14.