Mexico reach World Cup finals

Mexicans took to the streets on Sunday, tooting horns, spraying foam and waving the national flag after Mexico beat Honduras 3-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Thousands of people descended on the Angel of Independence monument in the central Reforma thoroughfare of Mexico City to celebrate the nation's victory -- a popular gathering spot for demonstrations and for feting political and sporting triumphs.

"Yes we did it! Yes we did it! Now we're going to the World Cup," the crowd of some 2,000 at the Angel chanted, many sporting the green shirts of the national team.

Mexican President Vicente Fox, currently on a visit to the United States, told local radio: "All Mexico is very happy."

Mexico have joined Costa Rica and the United States as the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) region's representatives at the World Cup.

They had been on the brink of elimination after defeats to the U.S., Costa Rica and Honduras early in the final stage of the qualifying competition, but four wins in their last five games under new coach Javier Aguirre changed their fortunes.

Mexico's hero was Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who scored two goals and set up the third before a crowd of 120,000 in the Azteca stadium. Juan Francisco Palencia scored the other goal.

The victory leaves Mexico in second place in the six-country group after the 10 matches and makes them the 25th team to qualify. It will be Mexico's 12th World Cup finals.