Mexico claimed their first CONCACAF Nations League trophy with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Panama in the final on Sunday, thanks to a brace from Raul Jimenez.
El Tri wasted no time asserting dominance, with Jimenez opening the scoring in the eighth minute. Panama, however, responded with resilience and found an equalizer just before halftime through Adalberto Carrasquilla. The second half saw Mexico pressing hard, but Panama’s defense stood strong against relentless attacks.
Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, a game-changing moment arrived—Jose Cordoba was penalized for a handball in the box. Jimenez stepped up and calmly slotted home the decisive penalty, securing the title for Mexico.
The victory marks Mexico’s first triumph in the tournament, breaking the U.S. Men’s National Team’s three-year dominance. The USMNT, who had defeated Mexico in two previous finals, finished fourth after losing to Canada in the third-place match.
Jimenez’s performance silenced any doubts about his role in the national team, proving he remains a vital force at 33. While there has been speculation about passing the torch to younger strikers like Santi Gimenez, his heroics in this tournament reaffirm his importance.
Panama, despite a valiant defensive effort, saw their hopes crushed by an unfortunate late penalty. Cordoba and his teammates had fought bravely, but one moment of misfortune proved costly.
With this triumph, Mexico reestablishes itself as a dominant force in the region, and with experienced players like Jimenez still delivering, they look set for continued success.
