INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Raúl Jiménez scored in the opening minute and again in the 75th, lifting Mexico into the CONCACAF Nations League final with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night. Jiménez, a 33-year-old Fulham striker, scored his 36th and 37th international goals to thrill a stadium packed with fans of El Tri, welcomed as the home team whenever it plays in Southern California.
Mexico will face Panama on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium for the chance to become the first winner of this tournament other than the host U.S. Panama opened the semifinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Americans, who won the first three editions of this tournament. After beating Honduras last November in the Nations League quarterfinals, Mexico has won back-to-back matches for the first time since its run to the 2023 Gold Cup title. El Tri won that trophy at SoFi Stadium, with Santi Giménez’s late goal beating Panama 1-0 in the final.
Canada will face the struggling Americans in the third-place match Sunday in the latest international sporting competition between neighbors put at odds by President Donald Trump's incendiary rhetoric and tariff war. The 4 Nations hockey tournament earlier this winter featured Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem.
After a loud rendition of Mexico's national anthem, El Tri immediately attacked and then capitalized off a fortunate bounce. Jiménez got the ball to Roberto Alvarado, whose attempt deflected off a defender and landed in front of Jiménez. He slammed it home, setting off a wild celebration just 57 seconds after kickoff. Canada, which entered with a six-game unbeaten streak, had a handful of unfulfilled chances in the second half but Jiménez essentially wrapped it up with his brilliant spot kick. After AC Milan's Giménez won the free kick outside the penalty area, Jiménez curled a screamer over the wall, past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and into the right corner of Canada’s net, setting off beer-throwing celebrations throughout the stands at the palatial home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams.
In the end, experience mattered. Raúl Jiménez, playing for the 109th time for Mexico, sunk an up-and-coming Canada team trying to prove it belonged in a Concacaf final. The 33-year-old Fulham forward’s two goals propelled Mexico to its third Nations League final with a 2-0 win Thursday night. Mexico has yet to win the competition, but either way a new champion will be crowned after Panama’s surprise 1-0 triumph over the U.S., the only previous winner.
Jesse Marsch’s Canada came into the game brimming with confidence, eager to prove it belonged. Jacob Shaffelburg said he was never more “excited” in a Canada camp. Alistair Johnston claimed this Canada team was never more “prepared” than it was on the eve of the semifinal. But for all the excitement and preparation, Canada was still unable to break down a Mexican side that never looked under any real pressure. The loss will serve as a reminder of how difficult it has been for Canada to score goals under Marsch. In half of his 14 games in charge, Canada has been shut out.
Despite managing just 0.46 expected goals on the night, there will still be far more for Marsch to consider as the 2026 World Cup approaches. In the meantime, it’s Mexico that’s onto Sunday’s final, while Canada will play the U.S. in the third-place game.
The match started with a disastrous event for Canada as a Johnston throw-in in his own end was intercepted by Mexico just 45 seconds after kickoff. The early goal proved too much for Canada to overcome.
The game was a high-tempo affair with a total of five yellow cards handed out in the first half alone, a chippy contest where referee Héctor Martínez frequently intervened. Canada had strong appeals for a penalty in the ninth minute when Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez appeared to catch Canada center back Derek Cornelius in the penalty area, but the appeals were denied upon review.
Indeed, the game had plenty of key moments. Jacob Shaffelburg came on for Canada in the 60th minute, followed by Mathieu Choiniere, Tajon Buchanan, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Daniel Jebbison, who made his Canadian debut in the 80th minute. However, many chances were squandered as Canadians struggled to turn possession into goals.
Raúl Jiménez’s goals, however, were more decisive. His first was a simple finish following a fortunate bounce, while the second, a curling free kick, showcased his skill. No doubt, Jiménez still gets it done when it counts.
In all, it will be a hard-fought road ahead for both teams as the Nations League heads toward its finale. Canada, despite falling short, will need to refocus quickly for their match against the U.S. after a frustrating defeat.
