The All Whites path to qualification for next year's football World Cup just got tougher with Mexico confirmed as their opponent for the intercontinental playoff next month.
Poor results had seen Mexico in danger of missing qualification and they were sitting in fourth place in the North and Central American conference heading into today's final matches.
After finding themselves 2-1 down against Costa Rica, Mexico looked destined to miss the tournament for only the second time.
However they were saved by their fiercest rivals the United States, who scored two goals in stoppage time to beat Panama 3-2, confirming Mexico as New Zealand's opponent.
New Zealand will have to play Mexico at the Azteca on November 14, before hosting the second leg in Wellington a week later.
