Mexico vs. Costa Rica result: El Tri held to scoreless home draw in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying

So much for home sweet home. Mexico's attack fell flat in its return to its home field at the Estadio Azteca as Costa Rica held El Tri to a 0-0 draw. Mexico missed out on a chance to overtake the USA and move into second place in the CONCACAF table.

The draw does leave Mexico in third place (18 points), which is still a spot that grants a direct berth to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But fourth-place Panama is just one point away and will be the next visitor to the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday.

It's a golden point for Costa Rica, which has revived its qualifying hopes with last Thursday's win against Panama and the draw against El Tri. With better finishing, Costa Rica could have also come away with the full three points against Mexico. The visitors created the best chances of the match, two on breakaways and another on a 40th-minute wide-open header that fell to Celso Borges, who directed his attempt right at the 'keeper.

MORE: Updated CONCACAF qualifying standings and schedule

Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano returned to the Mexico starting lineup after his suspension, joining Rogelio Funes Mori and Jesus 'Tecatito' Corona in attack. But the trio didn't trouble Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, often opting for shots from outside the box and rarely taking on defenders one-on-one. Funes Mori scored a goal, but he was in an offside position and it was disallowed. Mexico also struck the crossbar on two occasions on a wayward Chaka Rodriguez cross and a Luis Romo shot that sailed high.

In-form Chivas attacker Alexis Vega was a surprise omission from the starting lineup and by the time he came on with 15 minutes remaining, it was too late to make a difference as spaces were tighter with Costa Rica shifting to a five-man backline. 

Manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino will have plenty of explaining to do as the pressure is dialed up on El Tri, which still has work to do to clinch a spot in the 2022 World Cup. And if Panama somehow pulls off a shock result on Wednesday, Mexico could be in real trouble.