Mexico clinched their first CONCACAF Nations League title with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty against Panama, ending years of frustration. Raúl Jiménez scored both goals for El Tri in a tense 2-1 win, while the U.S. disappointed, losing to Canada in the third-place match.
Embed from Getty Images
A stoppage-time penalty gave Mexico a dramatic 2-1 win over Panama on Sunday night, earning El Tri their first-ever CONCACAF Nations League title and ending a frustrating run in the competition.
The final, held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, delivered plenty of tension, controversy, and late drama as Mexico finally overcame their recent disappointments in the tournament.
It was Raúl Jiménez who emerged as the hero for Mexico, calmly slotting home a penalty in the 90+2nd minute to clinch victory. The Fulham striker, formerly of Benfica, had already opened the scoring early in the game and later kept his cool under immense pressure to convert the decisive spot-kick in added time. The goal came after a late VAR review confirmed a handball in the box by Panama, giving Mexico the perfect opportunity to seal the win.
Jiménez’s opener in the 8th minute gave Mexico an ideal start. The experienced striker timed his run to perfection and slotted past the goalkeeper after a well-worked team move, sending the largely pro-Mexico crowd into early celebration. However, Panama showed resilience and fought back admirably. They grew into the game and were rewarded just before the interval when Adalberto Carrasquilla equalized from the penalty spot in the 45+2nd minute after a clumsy challenge inside the box.
The match was not without controversy. In the second half, proceedings were temporarily halted due to homophobic chants from Mexican supporters, a recurring issue that has plagued the national team’s fanbase for years. The stadium announcer issued warnings, and the referee paused the game briefly as part of the CONCACAF protocol to combat discriminatory behavior. Fortunately, the situation was brought under control, and the game resumed without further incident.
Mexico, who had lost in the Nations League finals in both 2020 and 2024 to archrivals United States, were desperate to finally lift the trophy. Under the guidance of head coach Jaime Lozano, the team came into the final with renewed focus and a more cohesive approach, blending experience with youth. The result was a hard-fought and emotional win that not only broke their Nations League curse but also reasserted their dominance in the region.
For Panama, it was a bittersweet night. Despite another impressive tournament run, they once again fell short at the final hurdle. The Central American side had previously finished fourth on two occasions, and while they showed quality and determination throughout the match, they were unable to hold off Mexico in the closing moments. Still, their journey to the final included a remarkable upset over the United States in the semifinals, underlining their progress as a rising footballing nation in CONCACAF.
Speaking of the U.S., they were arguably the biggest letdown of the tournament. After entering as three-time defending champions, expectations were high. However, their campaign ended in disappointment. Following a semifinal defeat to Panama in a penalty shootout, the Americans then lost the third-place match 2-1 to Canada a result that will add further scrutiny to the team’s recent performances ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they are set to co-host.
Canada, on the other hand, bounced back from their own semifinal defeat with a spirited performance to claim third place. Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a composed finish after a defensive lapse from the U.S. side. Although Patrick Agyemang equalized for the Americans in the 35th minute, Jonathan David restored Canada’s lead in the 59th with a clinical strike that proved to be the winner. FC Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio also made a late appearance, coming on in the 87th minute to help the Canadians close out the match.
The 2024–25 edition of the CONCACAF Nations League will be remembered for its upsets, high drama, and a long-awaited breakthrough for Mexico. With this victory, El Tri not only claim silverware but also send a strong message to their regional rivals as the countdown to the next World Cup intensifies.
