In just under 24 hours, the world will witness the CONCACAF Nations League final, bringing together two fierce competitors: Mexico and Panama. This matchup is particularly significant, as for the first time in its history, the 2025 edition of this tournament will not feature the United States as the reigning champion. With both teams eyeing continental glory, Mexico aims to reclaim its stature after last winning an official title in 2023.
The Mexican national team, often known as "El Tri," will attempt to secure victory against Panama, the same opponent they faced in the Gold Cup final, where Mexico emerged triumphant thanks to a goal from Santiago Giménez. This Sunday, March 23, 2025, both teams will face off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, starting at 7:30 PM (CDMX).
Interestingly, predictions for this crucial encounter have already begun to circulate. An artificial intelligence analysis foresees Mexico sealing a 2-0 victory over Panama, with Edson Álvarez and Santiago Giménez likely to find the back of the net. This projection reflects not only past performances but also current team dynamics, significantly influenced by Giménez’s journey over the last several months.
Having experienced a challenging spell on the national team with a lengthy scoring drought boasting 15 matches without a goal, Giménez will be eager to break this streak. His last goal for Mexico was against Panama during the Gold Cup final in June 2023, a match where he scored the decisive goal to clinch the trophy. However, since that day, the 23-year-old has faced challenges, including a thigh injury that sidelined him for six months and a lack of scoring opportunities in recent matches.
Yet, Giménez’s journey has not been entirely bleak. His performances at Feyenoord evidently caught the attention of bigger clubs, eventually leading to a transfer to A.C. Milan. He has made significant progress in his career, which he credits to his experiences in European football.
Before the matchup, Giménez expressed his enthusiasm for playing alongside Raúl Jiménez, who was in excellent form during the semifinals against Canada, scoring twice in Mexico's 2-0 victory. "Playing alongside Raúl is an honor because he is in a good moment; we know the connection and understanding we have. We had a great game as a group, and that gives us a boost", said Giménez after the semifinal match.
The tournament has clearly prepared Mexico, considering their path to the final and how effectively they collaborated in their last match. Coach Javier Aguirre is likely to employ the successful partnership of Giménez and Jiménez to maximize their scoring abilities against Panama.
Fans will be eagerly watching Sunday’s clash. The excitement is palpable, with broadcast coverage spanning multiple platforms, including TUDN, ViX, Canal 5, and Azteca 7. With the teams ready to make history in this monumental event, the anticipation is growing.
This final, where the stakes are high and dreams of glory are at hand, will bring forth intense competition between two teams with a shared history of victors and underdogs. For Mexico, it represents a chance to solidify its dominance in regional football, while for Panama, it is an opportunity to create a new legacy by upsetting one of the region’s giants. As the clock ticks down to kickoff, all eyes will be on Inglewood this Sunday!
