Mexico books 8th straight World Cup trip amid widespread discontent
Mexico navigated high-profile defeats and blips during its World Cup qualification campaign en route to clinching a Qatar 2022 berth.
The team's progression to an eighth straight tournament was confirmed with a 2-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday, a result procured through first-half goals from Uriel Antuna and Raul Jimenez.
Mexico ultimately finished second in CONCACAF qualifying behind Canada.
El Tri suffered extra-time losses to the United States in the finals for both the Nations League and Gold Cup before kicking off CONCACAF's third round of World Cup qualifiers. Although Mexico is through, Argentine head coach Gerardo Martino has done little to endear himself to fans during his side's journey.
Mexico suffered its third straight defeat against the U.S. in November - a disgrace that most El Tri followers may never forgive - and then fell to Canada in a World Cup qualifier for the first time since 1976. There have also been dispiriting draws, including last week's goalless affair with the U.S. at the Estadio Azteca.
Chants called for Martino's sacking during that match, but the team spared him Sunday only because he missed the Honduras trip with a health issue relating to a second surgery he had on his right eye in February.
"We've lost that calm in the last 25 meters of the field. Not only during the times when we need to score a goal but also when needing to make that pass," Martino said of his team's toothless attack following the 0-0 draw in Mexico City. "It's clear that it's a subject that we need to restore."
Perhaps pre-campaign concerns over the narrowing gap between Mexico and its CONCACAF rivals was underplayed. Judging from recent results and performances, the U.S. and Canada may have surpassed the confederation's traditional powerhouse.
And this sobering development, along with the barbarity that shook the country at Queretaro's Estadio Corregidora earlier in March currently paint a rather bleak picture for Mexican soccer.