Mexico wins CONCACAF Nations League final over Panama

The Mexico team celebrate after defeating Panama at the end of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Panama forward Cecilio Waterman (18) kicks the ball against Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

A Mexico fans look on during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado (22) and Panama midfielder Cristian Martinez (6) vie for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) dribbles the ball defended by Panama midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Luis Chávez (18) heads the ball against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico defender Israel Reyes (2) vies for the ball with Panama defender Jorge Gutierrez (15) during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez (11) heads the ball defended by Panama defender Jose Cordoba (3) during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, center, signals to his team against Mexico during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre reacts against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado eyes the ball against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico defender Israel Reyes attempt to kick the ball against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado kicks the ball against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) recovers the ball defended by Panama defender Cesar Blackman during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico fans celebrate after their team defeated Panama at the end of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) converts a penalty kick for a goal past Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, right, during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) celebrates after converting a penalty kick for a goal against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez, center, celebrates with his team after converting a penalty kick for a goal against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) converts a penalty kick for the wining goal against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico defender César Montes (3) heads the ball against Panama during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico defender Carlos Moreno, left, kicks the ball defended by Panama midfielder Cristian Martinez (6) during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Panama midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (8) celebrates with teammate forward Cecilio Waterman after Carrasquilla converts a penalty kick for a goal against Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Panama midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (8) coverts the penalty kick for a goal against Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) and teammate forward César Huerta celebrate after Jiménez scores a goal against Panama during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez, left, does a kart wheel after scoring a goal against Panama during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Mexico midfielder Carlos Rodríguez lifts the Nations League trophy during at the end of a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Mexico won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

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INGLEWOOD — The talk about who is the best forward in CONCACAF, must always include Raúl Jiménez and prove why in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Jiménez scored two goals in Mexico’s semifinal win at Canada Thursday and he added another two goals in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Panama in the final in front of 68,212 at SoFi Stadium.

This is Mexico’s first CONCACAF Nations League championship.

“I’m happy for the players, I’m very happy about their performance,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. “It’s not easy to beat any team. Panama showed great resistance. I hope they qualify for the World Cup.”

Aguirre, in his third stint as coach of the Mexico, returned last July.

Jiménez opened the scoring in the eighth minute. The winning goal came into stoppage time as he stepped up to the penalty spot and converted, sending the Mexican fans into a wild celebration.

Jiménez has scored 10 goals with Fulham in the English Premier League. He had scored two goals for Mexico last season and has already doubled that this year.

Mexico received a break on a free kick when Panamanian defender José Córdoba was called for hand ball violation, with it appeared the ball was heading out of play.

Jiménez stepped up, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and the ball was in the back of the net. He becomes the first player to score multiple goals in more than one match in the CONCACAF Nations League.

“If you put that player in a Canada team or a USA team, he can help you win tournaments and that’s what he did,” legend Thierry Henry said of Jiménez on the Paramount+ wrap-up show.

Panama tied the game at 1-1 on Adalberto Carrasquilla’s successful penalty kick in the first minute of stoppage time.

“When Mexico scored, everything looks bad, but the reaction of the team was very good,” Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said. “We had important opportunities before the penalty (in the second half).

“We had a small country with big dreams. The team fought. The players had that personality in both games. We had better opportunities against Mexico. After a loss you suffered in the last minute, it hurts, but as I said before, I’m honored to be head coach of this team.”

Mexico and Panama met in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, also at SoFi Stadium in 2023, with Mexico winning 1-0.

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