The Mexican National Team will host Honduras this Tuesday in Toluca, at 2,600 meters above sea level, needing to win by at least two goals to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League. 

The scenario is strikingly similar to last year when Mexico lost 2-0 as visitors but managed to win by the same score at home in a controversial match. In that game, El Tri capitalized on an extended stoppage time to score the goal that forced a penalty shootout, which they eventually won.  

Honduras arrives motivated and will aim to stay organized defensively to avoid conceding an early goal. Colombian head coach Reinaldo Rueda will prioritize structure in his team but will also look to exploit the spaces Mexico might leave in their quest for goals.  

If Honduras scores, Mexico will be forced to net four or more goals, as the away goal rule would give the advantage to the Central American side in case of an aggregate tie.  

The first leg was full of controversy. On Mexico's side, it was surprising to see coach Javier Aguirre start Guillermo Ochoa in goal. At 39 years old, Ochoa is far from the level that once made him the best Mexican goalkeeper of this century. His error led to the first goal against and he failed to provide the confidence of his prime years.  

However, the team’s struggles were not limited to the goalkeeper. Mexico’s other lines were also outplayed by a team ranked 77th in the FIFA standings and seventh in Concacaf.  

Just as Mexico struggles to perform as visitors in Honduras, the Central Americans often face difficulties playing on Mexican soil. This time, they’ll face the additional challenge of playing at altitude. Rueda will aim to leverage his team’s momentum to prove that Mexico is no longer the Concacaf giant it used to be. Eliminating El Tri would confirm the team’s current decline, marked by having three coaches in less than two years.  

Probable Lineups:  

Mexico: Luis A. Malagón; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Israel Reyes, Jesús Angulo; Luis Romo, Édson Álvarez, Julián Quiñones, Orbelín Pineda, César Huerta, Raúl Jiménez.  

Head Coach: Javier Aguirre.  

Honduras: Edrick Menjívar; Andy Nájar, Denil Maldonado, Luis Vega, Joseph Rosales; Jorge Álvarez, Rigoberto Rivas, Alexander López, Deybi Flores; Edwin Rodríguez, Jorge Benguché.  

Head Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.  

Stadium: Nemesio Diez, Toluca, at 2,600 meters above sea level.  

Kickoff: 20:30 (Mexico time).