INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mexico scrapped and clawed and climbed again to the highest of North and Central American soccer right here at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, beating Panama 2-1 to win its first CONCACAF Nations League.
It climbed, actually and figuratively, on the again of resurgent striker Raúl Jiménez, who scored twice, as soon as early and as soon as within the 92nd minute from the penalty spot.
In stoppage time of a bodily, fractured sport, after a blatant and baffling Panama handball, Jiménez stepped up and put his stamp on a match that he owned. He transformed the penalty, and easily stood nonetheless as bedlam exploded throughout him. Teammates mobbed him. Some 60,000 followers erupted. Tons of of beer cups rained down towards the sector in celebration. Pizza containers flew.
Raúl Jiménez comes up clutch from the PK spot 🇲🇽
Mexico are topped Concacaf Nations League champions for the primary time of their historical past 🏆
And the Mexicans reclaimed the CONCACAF throne that, for many years, was theirs.
Lately, El Tri . Or, slightly, the U.S. had seized it — first with a , then an , and a . The Individuals, assured and rising, appeared like the brand new kings of the area. “I wanna hold profitable this trophy, and solely allow us to win it, to the purpose it will get boring to folks,” U.S. defender Antonee Robinson mentioned at this very second final 12 months.
However a 12 months later, the . Mexico resurged, beat Canada within the second semi, and gained its maiden Nations League on Sunday with out having to face the defending champs.
It was not dominant, not irresistible, not irrepressible. It may have been after Jiménez’s early objective, however Panama, probably the most spectacular CONCACAF crew of the week, fought again. In first-half stoppage time, Los Canaleros gained a penalty of their very own, and their intermittent strain paid off. Adalberto Carrasquilla scored from the spot. The match went to halftime degree.
Mexico labored for a lot of the second half. Nervousness unfold all through a crowd of 68,212. So did the discriminatory “p***” chant, which boomed at the least six instances, and prompted referee Mario Escobar to briefly droop the match. At that time, it was nonetheless degree and locked, with no locksmith on both facet to unbolt it.
However then, out of nowhere, a slipshod Panamanian arm appeared, and a golden alternative fell to the person of the hour — and the weekend.
Jiménez, a 33-year-old star reborn, struggled for years after struggling a fractured cranium in late 2020. Even after returning to full well being, he drifted additional and farther from his prime, away from the shape that after made him probably the most feared participant in CONCACAF. He drifted up to now that he was omitted from Mexico’s squad for final summer time’s Copa América.
However in 2024-25, he has turned again time. On a per-90-minute foundation, he’s scoring greater than he ever has within the Premier League since his transfer to England seven years in the past.
And if that wasn’t sufficient proof that he’s again, totally again, Jiménez proved it this week.
He scored within the very first minute of Mexico’s semifinal, bursting via the Canadian protection. He sealed victory Thursday with , a roller that beat Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with each energy and precision.
Three days later, he wanted solely eight minutes to select up the place he left off. His back-post header put Mexico forward 1-0.
For the remainder of the 90, he received treasured little service. Mexico’s standard flaws — specifically, a scarcity of creativity and attacking construction — reappeared. The sport crept towards additional time, and seemed more and more prone to get there.
However as soon as Escobar pointed to the spot, there was little doubt concerning the finish outcome. There was little doubt about who’d win the match’s “Finest Participant” award. And there was little doubt about what this title would imply to Mexico and to Jiménez personally.
His scary harm 5 years in the past, as head coach Javier Aguirre mentioned, had been “painful for all of Mexico.”
His return has been inspiring and triumphant.
“It is implausible to return again after what I’ve been via,” after lifting the Nations League trophy. “I am actually blissful. That is only a nice instance that, you by no means need to lose the religion.”
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Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:33 AM GMT+1Mexico wins the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League
Raúl Jiménez comes up clutch from the PK spot 🇲🇽
Mexico are topped Concacaf Nations League champions for the primary time of their historical past 🏆
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:30 AM GMT+1FULL-TIME: Mexico 2-1 PanamaMon, March 24, 2025 at 4:28 AM GMT+195′ Substitutions
95′ | Double mexican subs➡️ S. Gimenez & J. Gallardo➡️ J. Angulo & O. Pineda
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:28 AM GMT+1HIGHLIGHT: Jiménez drills the late penalty Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM GMT+1Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:24 AM GMT+192′ GOAL – Mexico 2-1 Panama
Jimenez drills the probably game-winner within the 92nd minute! He is been the very best participant on the sector all night time.
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:22 AM GMT+189′ Penalty for Mexico
Raul Jimenez strains as much as take the shot after a handball contained in the field.
It .
It marred the 2024 last.
As I wrote two years in the past, . No, there is no such thing as a simple answer; but additionally, CONCACAF, Mexican soccer authorities and lots of others have dragged their ft for years looking for an answer.
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 4:18 AM GMT+186′ Play resumes after a quick stoppage as a result of discriminatory chant
Suspended as a result of “p***” chant.
It can probably resume in a minute or two, however who is aware of what is going to occur if followers hold doing the mantra.
… and organizers aren’t doing something about it.
Mexico followers have screamed “p***” en masse at the least 5 instances tonight. The primary one is meant to set off an in-stadium warning, and the beginning of the three-step protocol.
We simply received our first warning after the fifth (and loudest) one, within the 82nd minute.
Each groups nonetheless going for it, with 14 minutes of the 90 to go.
Each look able to find a second objective.
Introduced attendance, by the way in which, is 68,212. Not a sellout, however it very a lot stuffed in for the ultimate.
Mexico’s greatest qualities and its clearest flaws have been on show right here.
They play with loads of ardour. They’ve clearly purchased in to what Aguirre is preaching. They’ve two very good strikers, and Edson has been near his combative greatest.
However, they lack attacking construction and creativity. Roberto Alvarado simply epitomized that when he let an assault fizzle with a sloppy contact on the correct wing. So that they have not been in a position to overwhelm Panama.
Nonetheless 1-1, 74th minute.
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 3:56 AM GMT+164′ Substitutions for El Tri
58′ | Double mexican sub 🇲🇽⬅️ L. Romo & R. Alvarado➡️L. Chávez & A. Vega
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM GMT+160′ Substitution – Panama subs in José Fajardo for Cecilio WatermanMon, March 24, 2025 at 3:38 AM GMT+1Second half begins
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 3:22 AM GMT+1HIGHLIGHT: Carrasquilla’s equalizer
Panama got here to play. Took an early punch and by no means even wobbled. (Additionally received primarily the very same penalty that Canada did not get three days earlier.)
Virtually regardless of how this last ends, Los Canaleros have been probably the most spectacular crew this week.
Needs to be a wonderful second half.
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 3:18 AM GMT+146′ GOAL – Mexico 1-1 Panama
Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla will get the penalty previous Luis Malagon to even issues up simply earlier than halftime.
Mon, March 24, 2025 at 3:16 AM GMT+145′ Penalty awarded to Panama after a foul on Cecilio Waterman
