Mexico 2-1 Panama: Late Jimenez penalty seals Nations League trophy

Raul Jimenez’s penalty in second-half stoppage time led Mexico to their first CONCACAF Nations League after they beat Panama 2-1 in the final on Sunday.

Jimenez had opened the scoring at SoFi Stadium early on before Adalberto Carrasquilla restored parity with a spot-kick just before the break.

The result saw Mexico become the first team other than the United States to win the tournament, with the USMNT winning the first three editions of the competition.

Javier Aguirre’s side hit the front in the eighth minute when Roberto Alvarado’s cross was misjudged by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, allowing Jimenez to head home.

Panama, however, grew into the contest and their pressure was rewarded in first-half stoppage time after Cecilio Waterman was fouled inside the box by Johan Vasquez.

Carrasquilla stepped up and placed the ball down the middle from 12 yards, though Mexico improved after the break as they pushed for the victory.

Santiago Gimenez, Edson Alvarez and Luis Romo all had efforts in quick succession, though the decisive moment in the encounter came in the closing stages.

After a foul on the left-hand side, Luis Chavez’s teasing delivery from the resulting free-kick was handled by Jose Cordoba inside the area as he attempted to clear the ball.

Jimenez assumed responsibility for the penalty, with his stuttering run-up ending with a calmly placed finish sending Mosquera the wrong way to seal the victory.

¡Somos CAMPEONES de la Liga de Naciones de #Concacaf!

¡Juntos, lo dimos #PorMéxicoTodo!

¡Incondicionales, el trofeo se viene a casa! pic.twitter.com/BpPJ34yeGE

— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) March 24, 2025

Data Debrief: Jimenez halts hat-trick of heartbreaks for Mexico

After suffering defeats to the United States in the 2019-20 and 2023-24 finals, Mexico ensured there would be no hat-tricks of heartbreak in the competition.

They were worthy of their win, ending the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.61 from their 15 shots, with Fulham striker Jimenez the start of the show.

He ended with team-high totals for touches in the opposition box (eight), shots on target (two) and chances created (two), while only Alvarez (13) won more duels in the game for Mexico than Jimenez (eight).

Jimenez’s brace also saw him become Mexico’s joint-third-all-time scorer, moving level with Cuauhtemoc Blanco on 39 goals, with only Jared Borgetti (46) and Javier Hernandez (52) netting more.