Mexico breaks records and buries Canada to set up revenge final vs. Panama | OneFootball

Even before the clock struck one minute, Raúl Jiménez had already celebrated. A tight rebound dropped at the forward's feet, and he wasted none of it. That was the start of Mexico's 2–0 win against Canada in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League semifinal at SoFi Stadium.

And now, with that victory, a dynamo final beckons them to face Panama, with both sides seeking to win their first Nations League title. But first, it's nice to know how gigantic this moment was for Mexico.

A starting point that tasted like an end

Some games take their time to get going. Not this one. Jiménez had already indicated in the first minute that he hadn't come all this way to watch. Alvarado was the one who tried his luck from distance, the ball deflected off the defense and was kept alive in the box. And he was the one who, with a right-footed shot of strength, scored the opener straight away.

It was the fastest goal Mexico has scored in a competition in the past 10 years and the quickest in Jiménez's professional life. And if all that wasn't enough, he also became only the third player to score two goals in Nations League semifinals or finals. Statistics that become headlines, but above all, they create pressure on whoever comes next.

Canada tried its best but fell short

You can't give Canada credit for playing it safe. Not on your life. Davies took the initiative, tried from a free kick, tried going inward, tried what he could. With seven successful dribbles over the course of the game, he was the player most disrupting Mexico's defense as the Nations League knockout stages progressed. Flashy dribbling, though, doesn't win it. When he came straight at the 31st minute, Malagón was prepared. Another attempt in the 44th, this one off-target.

Larin came on in the second half. He shot from distance in the 53rd minute, but the ball deflected off and went over. Bombito had one last opportunity in stoppage time, a header off a corner kick, but was unable to re-write the script. Canada pressured, fought, pushed, but it lacked the crisp cut, the accuracy, the finishing touch.

Jiménez in clutch mode

The second goal was a work of art. Jiménez launched a perfect free kick in the 75th minute. The ball flew over the wall, fooled the goalkeeper, and landed in the right corner. Cold blood and top-level finishing. He became the first-ever player to score a direct free kick in Nations League semifinals or finals with that goal.

The Mexican national team reaches the final with a record that surely forces Panama to reassess their tactics. That's two in a row, having not let the other team get a single goal. Earlier than that, they beat Honduras 4–0 in the quarterfinals. Now they've beaten Canada in dominating fashion. And let's not forget that, they broke a three-match winless streak against the Canadians, who had been growing quite competitive the last few years.

Panama, heads up

The scene is set for the final. Panama comes in on a huge win over the U.S. Charged up, confident, appearing to be a team that can hurt. But standing in their way is a Mexico that's found its best self at the right moment. A team that knows the weight of the jersey, a team that's used to the pressure, a team that doesn't shy away from full arenas or hot fans.

And they have Raúl Jiménez. The forward who, in a single night, rewrote the semifinal. The same who seems to have saved his best for this moment. And when he is in such form, the opponent should have their eyes wide open.

A final with a touch of revenge

The final between Mexico and Panama is a re-match of the 2023 Gold Cup final. At that time, it was Panama's turn. Today, Mexico has the opportunity to turn tables, with a new trophy on stake.

It is the third time Mexico has qualified for the Nations League final. The second straight time. And even lacking the shine of generations past, the team proves to know how to scrap. Panama better watch itself. Because if they underplay this Mexico that has grown stronger through willpower, they will be the ones left behind.