Honduras vs. Mexico: Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Qualifier

Mexico continued their perfect start to the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign after defeating Honduras 2-0 on Tuesday evening thanks to goals from second-half substitutes Jesus Corona and Jurgen Damm.

El Tri manager Juan Carlos Osorio deserved praise for his tactics in what's likely to be Mexico's most difficult Group A fixture, making good use of his bench options in sealing a confident win.

Moises Castillo/Associated Press

However, the game was marred by a horrific leg injury suffered by Honduras midfielder Luis Garrido, who had to leave the pitch just prior to half-time following a clash with Javier Aquino.     

Jorge Arangure of Vice Sports pointed out the future looks bright for Mexico based on the ages of Tuesday's scorers:

The first half at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano didn't produce the high-octane drama one might come to expect of a World Cup qualifying fixture, but Mexico could be content with their pressure-applying performance.

It was unsurprisingly Osorio's side who ran into the ascendancy early on, but that was more due to Honduras' inability to retain position for what seemed like more than a couple of phases.

Had Los Catrachos boasted a bit more quality in their first-half display, they may even have been capable of taking a shock lead against Mexico, but their ability to work the ball in the enemy half proved poor.

ESPN FC's Tom Marshall illustrated the "restless" nature of the tie, with both teams clearly anxious to make the most of such an important opportunity for points:

Tensions only got worse heading in at the break too, as the 43rd minute saw Aquino fall under the weight of a challenge and onto the outstretched leg of Garrido.

The Guardian's Rupert Fryer detailed just how gruesome the injury was, the kind of leg injury you just can't stand to see—irrespective of which team it is you support:

Whether that setback had its effect on the Honduras players or not, their second-half performance was considerably weaker, and Mexico's bench came to the fore and illustrated their superiority.

Corona's 67th-minute strike in particular was a sight to behold, as he flicked the ball up and out of the Honduras box with his left before slamming home a first-time volley with his opposite foot, per the Houston Chronicle's Jose de Jesus Ortiz:

It took Corona just four minutes to score after coming onto the pitch, and Jurgen Damm wasn't far off that feat, taking just six minutes to net following his introduction. 

At one goal down, Honduras may have retained some hope of a result, but Damm's goal—on just his second appearance for El Tri—sealed the three points as broadcaster Juan Arango outlined their dominant run toward the end:

Osorio can be overjoyed with the second-half response from his side, and the conundrum provided by his reserves' push for first-team spots will be treated as a welcome dilemma.

Mexico have a four-month wait before resuming their 2018 World Cup bid, and El Tri now sit in prime position to top their group. Meanwhile, Honduras are still seeking their first points of the campaign.

Post-Match Reaction

Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press

As far as coach Osorio could be concerned, games don't come much sweeter that Tuesday's 2-0 win over Honduras, where it was his substitutes that helped lead the way to victory.

Following Miguel Herrera's departure from the helm, Osorio is asserting his own influence on the team, and per Marshall, insisted his setup in San Pedro Sula was an offensive one:

The manager also went on to state aerially proficient players were selected based on the opponents' strength in that department, while Damm was picked based on his form with Tigres.

The youngster certainly rewarded his boss, and Osorio may give Damm another call-up in February, which he said are reserved for Liga MX players:

A long three months lies between now and that next international date, but Mexico will be content with their result in foreign territory on Tuesday.