Mexico are kings of Concacaf once again. Powered by the resurgence of veteran striker Raúl Jiménez, El Tri captured their first-ever Concacaf Nations League title on Sunday night with a dramatic 2-1 win over Panama in front of a boisterous, pro-Mexico crowd at SoFi Stadium.
Jiménez, the 33-year-old Fulham striker, was the star of the tournament, scoring all four of Mexico’s goals across the final four. He delivered once again on the biggest stage, opening the scoring in the 8th minute before calmly converting a pressure-packed penalty in the second minute of stoppage time to seal the title.
The win was another chapter in Jiménez’s remarkable comeback story. After suffering a life-threatening skull fracture in 2020 while playing for Wolves, he returned to football just nine months later. This tournament was a resounding reminder of his resilience and talent.
Mexico manager Javier Aguirre opted for an aggressive lineup, pairing Jiménez with Santi Giménez up front. The move paid immediate dividends. A brilliant cross from Roberto Alvarado found Jiménez in the box, and the veteran striker nodded home to give Mexico an early advantage.
Panama, who had stunned the United States in the semifinals, refused to fold. They controlled large stretches of the first half and were rewarded just before halftime. A video review ruled that Mexico’s Johan Vásquez had committed a foul in the box, and Adalberto Carrasquilla stepped up to slot home the equalizer from the spot.
The second half was a tense, physical battle with chances at both ends. But just when it seemed extra time was inevitable, Mexico were handed a lifeline. Panama defender José Córdoba, in a moment of madness, handled the ball inside the area. Jiménez converted from the spot with a confident finish, sending Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera the wrong way.
The goal sparked wild celebrations among the 68,000-plus fans packed into SoFi Stadium, many waving Mexican flags and cheering on their team. The final moments weren’t without controversy — the match was briefly halted in the 80th minute due to discriminatory chants from the crowd, prompting an anti-discrimination protocol and warnings over the PA system.
Still, the night belonged to Mexico. After previously lifting the Gold Cup at the same venue in 2023, El Tri once again made Los Angeles feel like home, reinforcing their dominance in North America with another piece of silverware.
Mexico’s unity, depth, and belief carried them through the tournament. From their quarterfinal win over Honduras to the final whistle against Panama, they consistently showed quality and cohesion.
For Panama, it was a valiant effort in a historic tournament run, but they leave with silver medals and a bitter taste after coming so close.
Mexico’s triumph ends the U.S. stranglehold on the Nations League, with El Tri becoming the first team other than the Americans to lift the trophy in its young history.
With Jiménez back in form and Aguirre’s tactical tweaks proving effective, Mexico look set to be a force heading into this summer’s Gold Cup — and perhaps beyond, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Photo: Reuters