Mexico and Honduras shared a goalless stalemate at the Estadio Azteca as pressure continues to loom on El Tri manager Juan Carlos Osorio.
After Honduras had defeated Canada 2-1 last week, Los Catrachos needed just a point to seal a place in the hexagonal.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio had warned about Honduras’ defensive stance, and the game started with the Catrachos happy to sit back and absorb pressure.
An otherwise quiet Mexican attack came close to taking a first half lead when debutant Angel Zaldivar latched on to a Javier Aquino ball, only to have his shot saved by Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escober.
After a first half to forget, substitute Hirving Lozano wasted Mexico’s best chance when he appeared unmarked from point blank range in the 56th minute before spurning his opportunity wide.
Lozano’s introduction certainly gave Mexico a lift, but at the end, not even Lozano could inspire Mexico to victory as both teams settled for an unimaginative draw at the Azteca.
Mexico will open the Hexagonal against the United States on November 11 at Mapfre Stadium in Colombus, Ohio.