2002 World Cup - Mexico 3 Honduras 0

Mexico became the 25th country to qualify for next year's World Cup finals with a 3-0 win over Honduras.

Two goals from Cuauhtemoc Blanco and one from Juan Francisco Palencia took Mexico through with ease in the second half.

Blanco started the scoring just after the break with a harsh left foot volley after a cross from the right wing was overhit.

Palencia mishit a shot from the edge of the area that skidded under Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares eight minutes later and in the 73rd minute Johan Rodriguez and Honduras' Amado Guevara were red carded for throwing punches at each other.

Blanco was fouled by Valladares to concede a 77th minute penalty which the winger converted to hand new coach Javier Aguirre a major triumph after he rescued their qualifying campaign from a poor start under Enrique Mesa. This was their third win in a row.

Mexico become the third and final team from the CONCACAF region to reach Korea and Japan after the US and Costa Rica clinched places two months ago.