Mexico have confirmed their place at next year’s World Cup, after seeing off New Zealand in their playoff eliminator.
El Tri all but secured their passage to Brazil after routing the All Whites 5-1 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in the first-leg of the playoff last week.
And they completed the job in Wellington on Wednesday, winning 2-4 to claim the tie 9-3 on aggregate.
New Zealand were impressive performers at the last World Cup in South Africa, but will not be afforded to the opportunity to repeat their bravery in Brazil.
While Mexico endured an horrendous qualifying campaign they were always heavily favoured to see off the Kiwis, and the Central Americans proved their pedigree when needed most.
They cruised to a 3-0 lead in 33 minutes with a first-half hat-trick from striker Oribe Peralta before Christian James and Rory Fallon reduced the arrears in a quick fire three minutes.
But Carlos Alberto Pena then added Mexico’s fourth, to smooth their path to Brazil, where they will again be considered dangerous outsiders for a run to perhaps that last-16 of the World Cup.
Now just one more place remains undecided for the World Cup, with Uruguay certain to claim it by completing their playoff win over Jordan soon.
Read: 32 World Cup Finalists All But Confirmed
