AGONISINGLY CLOSE! That's been the story of the tournament for Honduras, sadly. The free-kick is overhit but kept in play at the byline and pulled back for Mejia, who bends a first-time effort one inch wide of the far post with Corona rooted to his spot!
90' +2
J. Pereira gets yellow.
Really clumsy and unnecessary challenge from Pereira at the top-right corner of the penalty area, affording Honduras what might be their best and final chance to find an equaliser. Can they do it here?!
90' +1
R. López enters the game and replaces R. Pizarro.
Mexico wind the first minute of stoppage time off the clock with their third and final substitution, Raul Lopez replacing Pizarro.
90'
There will be four minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Mexico in possession now as they aim to milk the final minutes off the clock. They found themselves in the exact same position against Curacao, and managed to nab a second goal in stoppage time to put the game to bed. Can they do the same here? All they'll care about is not conceding, mind you.
87'
B. García gets yellow.
Boniek Garcia is booked for Honduras as they grow increasingly frustrated with their inability to find a way through.
86'
Still no goals for Honduras in this tournament, and they're on the verge of going home without one. That's not going to sit well for them with World Cup qualifying around the corner, and they have their work cut out for them there as well.
84'
Honduras starting to pour bodies forward now as they make their inevitable, all-out push for an equaliser. A good spell of pressure comes to a disappointing end, however, as Pina flings a shot well over the bar from range.
82'
STAT: Mexico have failed to reach the semi-final in just three of 13 Gold Cups since the formation of the tournament in 1991.
Minute
Description
80'
L. Rodríguez gets yellow.
Mexico's second yellow card is handed to Alanis.
79'
WHAT A SAVE! It's an audacious effort from a corner kick turns out to be a remarkable strike on goal, but Corona dives across splendidly to palm it off the line! Strong wrists and terrific reactions from the keeper!
77'
Honduras need to go for it now. They were looking capable of getting themselves back in the game early in the half, but there presence in the attack half has really faded. All it takes is one chance though.
75'
E. Torres enters the game and replaces Á. Sepúlveda.
Well there will be no risk of a second booking for Sepulveda as he's smartly withdrawn with Mexico's second change. Erick Torres enters the fray as his replacement.
74'
Á. Sepúlveda gets yellow.
For all the physicality in the match tonight it's hard to believe this is just the third yellow of the night, and the first for Mexico, as Sepulveda goes into the book. He's been a feisty character tonight and is walking a tight line to finish the match. His leash is short.
73'
A. López enters the game and replaces O. Lanza.
Alexander Lopez comes on with Honduras' final change of the night, replacing Lanza. The last two subs made by Honduras have brought on players with no previous goals on the international level.
72'
STAT: Rodolfo Pizarro had scored two international goals prior to scoring tonight, and both of them came in Mexico victories, coupled with a clean sheet (2-0 v Senegal, 1-0 v Paraguay).
70'
Nice work here from Mexico to slow the tempo as they enjoy a prolonged spell on the ball. They've had so much possession tonight and this is what happens - Honduras are getting tired from all the chasing. About that time for them to throw caution to the wind.
68'
S. Peña enters the game and replaces B. Acosta.
Sergio Pena comes on to make just his second international appearance for Honduras, replacing Acosta.
67'
With less than 30 minutes remaining now, Honduras need to get more clinical. This game is far from over as they have shown signs of being able to goe toe to toe with this Mexico side, but they have to start working Corona with more regularity.
65'
L. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces J. Molina.
Luis Rodriguez comes on as Mexico make their first change, replacing the influential Molina who was just carried off on a stretcher.
62'
STAT: Mexico have won each of their last five quarter-final matches at the Gold Cup, twice by virtue of extra-time, dating back to a 2-1 defeat to Colombia at this stage in 2005.
60'
Honduras break four against two as the crowd is abuzz with anticipation, but a swinging pass out wide bends away from Lanza, allowing Mexico to get bodies back. He still manages to get a cross in, but Elis is called for a foul on Corona. It was the wrong decision from the referee though, as Mexico escape with one there.
58'
Mexico back on the front foot now looking to restore their authority. Honduras remain so well organised in defence though and they're so quick to get their shape back that it's making it hard on El Tri to create much of anything. They really haven't had much of a chance since their opener.
56'
Honduras are showing signs of opening up, which gives reason to believe this will be an exciting watch over the course of the second half. Lanza forces Corona into a save, and moments later Honduras are back in possession.
54'
Tempers boiling over here as the hostility between these two familiar foes ensues. Boniek steps on Pineda on the ground and Sepulveda comes over to his rescue, bringing a whole crowd together near the halfway line.
52'
STAT: Honduras have won just one of their last seven Gold Cup matches (D2 L4).
50'
Right back into attack come El Tri, with four against three on the break, but they don't even get a shot off! Back the other way come Honduras and a long free-kick is deflected on goal, forcing Corona into a sharp save!
48'
Mexico negotiate the first attack of the second half and it's Elias Hernandez who does expertly to escape his marker on the right flank, but his eventual cross is blocked behind. The ensuing corner is dealt with as well by Honduras.
46'
B. García enters the game and replaces C. Sánchez.
Honduras get the second half underway!
Honduras make one change at the break as attacking midfielder Oscar Boniek replaces full-back Sanchez. They're going for it, and rightfully so.
45' +2
HALF-TIME: MEXICO 1-0 HONDURAS.
45'
There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half, as the stretcher comes on for Pereira who went down after a nasty collision with his own keeper. He's trying to walk it off though, quite impressively.
43'
Pizarro and Alvarado come together after the play, out of sight from the referee, and a little kick out from the Mexican goes unnoticed - and he is lucky for it. There's clearly no love lost between these two CONCACAF rivals.
41'
Nearly the entirety of the last 10 minutes has been played in Honduras' half. For as well as they have defended, this is not a recipe for a comeback. If they keep spending this much time hemmed back in their end, they could be 2-0 down before they know it - and that might spell the end to their Gold Cup campaign.
39'
STAT: Mexico are unbeaten in their last nine Gold Cup matches (W6 D3).
37'
Molina is still down here with a head injury stemming from the corner. There was no contact made with him, but it's very possible he tweaked something given the awkward angle with which he dove in for the header.
35'
Mexico starting to apply a bit of pressure as all their time in possession has begun to pay off. A dangerous free-kick is touched behind smartly by Cristanto, before Molina meets the ensuing corner, but actually heads the ball away from goal!
33'
Honduras are finding it awfully difficult to get their creative types involved. Quioto and Elis have been very quiet on the flanks, while Lanza has been isolated up top as Acosta has had no luck trying to provide a link.
31'
Plenty of possession from Mexico but Honduras are doing well to limit them to nothing, really. Honduras do need to start spending more time on the ball though, or all this chasing will start to tire them out sooner rather than later.
29'
STAT: Honduras have failed to score in each of their last five matches against Mexico (D2 L3).
27'
A. Mejía gets yellow.
Honduras pick up their second booking of the match and there's no doubt about this one. Mejia slides into a challenge with both feet from five yards away, gaining a lot of momentum as he crashes through his opponent.
25'
Well Honduras certainly have a point to prove tonight and it's showing. There have been questions surrounding whether or not they actually deserve to be in this stage, having gone through by virtue of a forfeit victory, without scoring in the group stage, but they are playing angry tonight.
23'
This has been some excellent viewing thus far in Glendale. The quality of football is a significant step up from many of the other matches we have seen so far in this tournament. It's physical, smart and organised as these two sides exchange tactical blows.
21'
Mexico are really starting to show their class in midfield, but they're in for a real fight against this aggressive Honduras side. Los Catrachos invented the word hustle, chasing down every ball with sheer will and determination, which has really disrupted Mexico's rhythm.
19'
Mexico have won three of the last four Gold Cups and have reached the semi-finals in each of the last five.
17'
Honduras need to get their act together. The fouls are coming in at an alarming rate, and they're all both reckless and dangerous. Molina is the latest to fall victim to a nasty elbow and shove in the back, but he too escapes with minor bumps and bruises.
15'
Poor tackle from Elis as he catches Duenas from behind deep in Mexico's end, catching his ankle which rolls under the challenge. That could have been very bad for the El Tri midfielder, who is lucky to escape without injury, just as Elis is lucky to escape without a yellow.
13'
Honduras continue to take charge of the match as confidence seems to be growing in their side. A solid break down the left results in a threatening cross, before a break down the opposite flank leads to their first corner of the match.
11'
Honduras are starting to enjoy more possession as they grow into the ascendency, but they are struggling to do much of anything with it. The bulk of their passes are coming around the halfway line, and it's all falling apart when they cross into Mexico territory.
9'
STAT: In five all-time meetings between the two sides at the Gold Cup, only once have Mexico won in 90 minutes. They won another in extra-time, drawing two and losing once.
7'
R. Quioto gets yellow.
Frustration setting in for Honduras who continue with their physical approach, and Quioto is cautioned as a result. Having already been shown a yellow, he continues to berate the referee and is lucky he got his emotions in check when he did or he could have got sent off!
4'
R. Pizarro has scored a goal for Mexico! Assist by E. Hernández.
Sepulveda is credited with the assist as he was deemed to have got a touch on the ball in the centre, but that was all in the cross from Duenas to make the goal possible.
DREAM START FOR EL TRI! Pizarro sneaks in at the far post to tuck Duenas' low cross into the empty net after it just got beyond Sepulveda in the centre! What a start for Mexico, and to make matters worse for Honduras, their goalkeeper is down and in need of medical attention.
3'
Physicality is the early theme in this one as both sides commit hard fouls within the first two minutes, forcing the referee to have a talk with the infracting players. A bit later in the match and those both could have warranted yellow cards, no doubt about it.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF!
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona as Mexico and Honduras battle it out for the final place in the Gold Cup semi-final!
Juan Carlos Osorio and his brass opted not to take advantage of CONCACAF’s rule allowing teams to call up players after the group stage, which is a strong indictment on how they feel about this current crop of domestic talent and their chances of defending their Gold Cup title.
Mexico’s draw against Jamaica in the group stage was tedious and a bit indicative of the lack of goalmouth presence, but it was sandwiched between a pair of convincing two-goal victories, so they should have plenty of confidence as they head into this quarter-final.
Confidence could be an issue for Honduras, however. They ended the group stage with four points, but three of those were granted to them by CONCACAF following a 0-0 draw with French Guiana as their opponents fielded the ineligible Florent Malouda.
Had the result of the draw stood, Honduras would have ended with two points and no goals through their three group matches and would be watching the knockout stage from home. They have to ramp their game into high gear and they have to do it now.
Juan Carlos Osorio continues the theme of making wholesale changes to his starting line-up, with seven new faces in the side tonight compared to the one which beat Curacao 2-0. Three of those seven come in defence where Edson Alvarez, Hugo Ayala and Jesus Gallardo are brought on to join Jair Pereira, replacing Luis Rodriguez, Cesar Montes and Luis Reyes.
Jorge Luis Pinto makes just two changes to his side from the draw with Canada. Bryan Acosta is brought into the number-10 role at the expense of Carlos Discua, while Elver Alvarado replaces Alfredo Mejia in the heart of midfield.
Rodolfo Pizarro's fourth-minute strike has Mexico leading through 45 minutes, at the end of what can only be described as a brutally physical match in Glendale. El Tri are in control, but Honduras have proven to have plenty of fight in them.
Little to separate the two sides in Glendale, but Rodolfo Pizarro's fourth-minute goal holds firm for Mexico as they edge their way into the semi-final, while Honduras exit the competition without scoring a single goal. That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along!
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