Raúl Jiménez's brace sends Mexico
past Canada 2-0, into the CONCACAF Nations League final vs Panama
[March 21, 2025]
By GREG BEACHAM
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.
Mexico is back in form overall after a strong performance against
Canada, which managed just one shot on target.
“We were a team today,” Giménez said. “We were a family, and we’re
very happy to be in the final. I think this Cup, we’re coming to win
it.”
Coach Javier Aguirre used both of his most dangerous offensive
players simultaneously, playing Jiménez at center forward and
Giménez on the right side of the front line while deploying Alexis
Vega on the left. The strategy worked against Canada.
“For me, it’s an honor to play with Raúl,” said Giménez, who plays
for AC Milan. “I think he’s a great striker. I need to learn a lot
(from) him. We have a special connection because we’re strikers that
are doing well in the club. Of course, we haven’t played in the club
with two strikers, but it was nice. I’m really happy.”
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.
“I thought that our guys really pushed the game,” Canada coach Jesse
Marsch said. “I thought we were organized. We were the aggressor. We
were on top of many moments. I thought every guy gave a good
performance, and it’s just one of those games where the bounces just
don’t really go your way.”
[to top of second column] |
Mexico's Raul Jimenez, second from left, celebrates with teammates
after scoring against Canada during the first half of a CONCACAF
Nations League semifinal soccer match Thursday, March 20, 2025, in
Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Marsch was also angered by the referee's decision
not to award a penalty in the ninth minute when Derek Cornelius was
clipped by Edson Alvarez in the box.
“They believe strongly in the team that they’re becoming, so it was
like a knife in the heart to play well, to really do a lot of good
things in the game, but then just fall short of the goal,” Marsch
said. “That disappointment is hard to shake ... but in so many ways
it’s just another step where we’re continuing to show our quality,
our organization, our intelligence, and now it’s just a little bit
of savvy, a little bit of intelligence that the best international
teams have.”
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 before Jiménez essentially
wrapped it up with his brilliant spot kick.
After 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.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
