Mexico Claims First CONCACAF Nations League Title With Historic Win

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mexico scrapped and clawed its way back to the pinnacle of North and Central American soccer, clinching its first CONCACAF Nations League title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Panama at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

The triumph was marked by the brilliance of resurgent striker Raúl Jiménez, who scored both goals for Mexico, including a pivotal penalty in the dying moments of the match. With the score level and time running out, Jiménez stepped up after a blatant handball by Panama to convert the penalty in the 92nd minute, sealing a historic win for El Tri.

"It's fantastic to come back after what I’ve been through," Jiménez said after lifting the Nations League trophy. "I'm really happy. This is just a great example that you never have to lose faith." His emotional journey back to form has been compelling; following a serious head injury in 2020, his resurgence has galvanized the Mexican squad.

For many years, Mexico had held the CONCACAF crown, but it was recently seized by rivals, the United States, who dominated the region with victories in 2021, 2023, and 2024. U.S. defender Antonee Robinson expressed their ambitions to continue their winning streak last year, stating, "I wanna keep winning this trophy, and only let us win it, to the point it gets boring to people." However, this year, the momentum shifted back to Mexico.

The match began with fireworks as Jiménez scored a header just eight minutes into the game, giving Mexico a swift 1-0 lead that ignited the crowd of 68,212. Shortly before halftime, however, Panama equalized through Adalberto Carrasquilla, who found the net with a penalty kick after a foul was called in the Mexico penalty area.

In the second half, Mexico struggled to maintain control of the game as Panama became more aggressive, outpacing Mexico in possession and shot attempts. Yet, the resolve of the Mexican players shone through as they pressed for a late winner.

With only a minute left in regular time, chaos erupted when Panama's Jose Cordoba extended his arm, leading to the penalty that Jiménez expertly converted. The celebratory atmosphere was palpable as fans erupted, showering the field with cups and pizza boxes in a jubilant display of support for their team.

The final whistle blew, affirming Mexico's 2-1 victory, marking the nation's first victory in this tournament, which has long eluded them. As the team celebrated, the irony was not lost; Mexico had recently also triumphed in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup at the same venue, defeating Panama 1-0 on a goal by Santi Giménez.

Despite the euphoric victory, the match was marred by controversy as it was briefly halted due to discriminatory chants from the crowd. The referee, Mario Escobar, suspended play to address the issue, and anti-slur messages appeared on the stadium’s scoreboard, highlighting the ongoing efforts to eradicate such behavior from soccer.

Jiménez's return to form has fueled Mexico's resurgence. His journey has been one of healing and perseverance following a fractured skull that sidelined him for a significant period. In domestic play, he has been sensational, registering more goals on a per-90-minute basis than he had managed in years. This weekend alone, he scored all four of Mexico’s goals across their two Nations League matches, including a stunning free kick that sealed a semifinal victory against Canada just days before the final.

As Mexico clinches this pivotal triumph, the dynamics of CONCACAF soccer may face a transformative shift. Once seen as the perennial favorites, El Tri now looks poised to reclaim its historical dominance, rekindled by the talents of players like Jiménez, who are stepping up amid a changing landscape.

The celebrations at SoFi Stadium signified more than just a single match win; it resolved a long-standing quest for the trophy and revitalized a nation's passion for the game. "This victory means everything to us, it's a fulfillment of hard work and dedication," Jiménez reflected, showcasing the spirit of a team reborn.

As fans learned throughout this tournament, sometimes it takes a painful history to craft a winning story, and in the world of soccer, just like life, comebacks are always possible.