October 16, 2012
PERFECT PITCH
Mexico finish 3rd round of World Cup Qualifying at 6-0-0

TORREON, Mexico—Mexico shut out El Salvador 2-0 on Tuesday at Estadio TSM Corona and advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying as the top team in Group B with a perfect 6-0-0 record and 18 points.

El Salvador already had been eliminated, and finish with five points, well behind second-place Costa Rica, who have ten. Guyana finished last in the group with a single point.

With advancement already assured, Mexico coach “Chepo” de la Torre brought in a young team to face La Selecta. In the end, however, it was veteran Oribe Peralta and Manchester United star Javier Hernandez who carried El Tri to victory, Peralta breaking the scoreless deadlock in the 64th minute, and Hernandez padding the margin in the 84th.

Peralta had an easy finish after goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo blocked Angel Reyna’s shot back into play. The Salvadoran ‘keeper turned in a solid performance, but was victimized one final time by Hernandez, who finished off a right-side cross from Elias Hernandez.

Both Peralta and Hernandez also scored in last Friday’s 5-0 rout of Guyana.