Raúl Jiménez scored a brace, including a decisive penalty in second-half stoppage time, as Mexico defeated Panama 2-1 to win the CONCACAF Nations League at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Sunday. The victory marks Mexico’s first triumph in the tournament, breaking the United States’ previous dominance (having won in 2021, 2023, and 2024).
Jiménez, who also scored twice in the semi-final against Canada, opened the scoring in the eighth minute. He outmaneuvered his marker to head home a long, precise cross from Roberto Alvarado.
Panama, despite controlling possession and generating more shot attempts in the first half, equalized just before halftime. Adalberto Carrasquilla converted a penalty, awarded after a video review determined that center back Johan Vasquez had committed a foul in the box.
The match was marred by a brief suspension with 10 minutes remaining in regulation time due to repeated homophobic chants from a section of the crowd of 68,212. Play resumed after anti-discrimination messages were displayed on the scoreboard and announced over the public address system.
The winning goal came from the penalty spot in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. A handball by defender Jose Cordoba, with his arm inexplicably outstretched, led to the penalty, which Jiménez confidently dispatched into the top right corner.
Jiménez’s performance throughout the Nations League Finals highlighted his importance to the Mexican attack. Manager Javier Aguirre’s decision to play Jiménez alongside Santi Giménez in an aggressive formation paid dividends.
The victory continues Mexico’s strong record in Southern California, where they consistently draw large and passionate crowds. They also won the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup at SoFi Stadium, defeating Panama 1-0 in that final. Mexico Panama
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