Player Ratings: Honduras 1 – 0 México

HONDURAS

Noel Valladares 6.0 –  Dealt nicely with the little offensive trouble generated by México.

Iván Guerrero 5.5 – Made good runs on the left wing, exaggerated a foul in the 87th minute to send-off Torrado to an early shower.

Víctor Bernárdez 6.0 – Solid performance at back and imposed his physique.  Sent a powerful, swerving free-kick a few inches off the crossbar in the second half.

Maynor Figueroa 5.5 – Kept Vuoso in check the entire match and participated in the attack with timely runs up the middle of the field.

Hendry Thomas 7.0 – Up to the point of his injury, was very involved in both the offensive and defensive end due to his positive ball recuperation and control of the midfield.  Had a dangerous header on goal and timely tackles.

Sergio Mendoza 5.5 – Normal match from Mendoza, did what was required of him in the overall scheme.

Emil Martínez 5.0 – Perhaps the weakest performer for Honduras, tended to commit untimely fouls.

Wilson Palacios 7.0 – Great match for the Wigan midfielder, good shots on goal and tracked back to help the defense.  Took the corner that resulted in a goal for the Catrachos.

Amado Guevara 8.0 – A good performance by the captain that is worthy of man of the match honors.  Delivered dangerous freekicks that caused many problems for El Tri’s defense, contributed in build-up plays with the offense and preserved the order amid the intensity of the final minutes.

Carlos Costly 7.5 – Looked like the perfect target man at times and proved to be a handful for the México back-line.  The timing between him and Suazo was deadly up front.

David Suazo 7.5 –  Lived up to the title of best Honduran player with many fantastic plays and could simply not be stopped with his blazing speed.  The Benfica man was a constant threat at all times and generated dangerous opportunities out of nothing at times.

Substitutions
Danilo Turcios (46') 5.5 – Could have doubled the lead, but was unable to put it away off a breakaway opportunity.

Ramón Núñez (71') N/A – Will be remembered for receiving the kick that sent-off Vela.

MEXICO

Oswaldo Sánchez 5.0 – Nothing he could have done about the goal, but had a great save to prevent the second goal.  Looked overconfident at times and began to negotiate with the Catrachos on the pitch, which could have cost El Tri.

Ricardo Osorio 4.5 – Own goal aside, had a decent match.  Made some good tackles, but far away from the level that took him to Stuttgart.

Aarón Galindo 4 – Spent most of the time chasing and was baffled by the Catracho tandem.

Rafael Márquez 7.0 – Class act from the Barça man.  The best Mexican player of the night was the only defender that could stop Suazo.  Without him, the result may have been lopsided.

Carlos Salcido 4.5 – He's seen better days.  It appears that PSV’s misfortunes have affected him, he does not look like the solid left back we have grown accustomed to seeing.

Pável Pardo 5.5 – He tried desperately to fire his team up to no avail. 

Gerardo Torrado 3 – Horrid game from the defensive mid, horribly timed tackles and senseless runs.

Fernando Arce 3.5 – Another match in which he played way below expectations and did not make his presence felt on the pitch.

Andrés Guardado 6.5 – Another good performance by the 22-year-old, like always displayed his talent, skill, fight and daring.  Not as participatory as in other matches, but on most occasions was alone in his effort.

Sinha 4 – Eriksson put him in the worst possible match.  The pitch did not suit his talent and abilities, which ended up canceling his presence.  Did what he could for the toothless attack of the Azteca front line.

Matías Vuoso 5.5 – Obviously still getting used to the national team.  Still, could have benefited from more passes since the most dangerous attacks came through him and had the chance to once again be a hero, but his powerful header was denied by the crossbar.

Substitutions

Carlos Vela (57') 2.5 – What was he thinking? Did not start due to an injury, but when he came was ejected.  Only positive was the give-and-go play with Guardado that led to a Vuoso shot.

Nery Castillo (72') N/A – Did not receive a rating because Eriksson subbed him in with not enough time and when the problem had no solution.  In his short time managed one of Mexico’s most dangerous shots on target.

Omar Bravo (82') N/A – Similar to Nery, introduced too late.

-- César García and Jose Morales, Goal.com