Raúl Jiménez ruins Panama’s dream as Mexico steals Nations League crown | OneFootball

What was witnessed in the Concacaf Nations League final was a different Mexico than what many anticipated. Not due to the players or the strategy, but because of the manner in which the team chose to take the initiative from beginning to end. In the 2–1 victory against Panama, the Mexican side was direct, accurate, and most importantly, deadly. And if there is one name that embodies this change in mentality, it's Raúl Jiménez.

Jiménez scored two goals, one of them in added time, and was the game-changer in a tight match. Mexico did not need to play beautifully or dominate the stats. They just needed to be efficient. And they were. With the win, the country captures its first Nations League championship and proves that when the jersey gets heavy, not many know how to wear it like they do.

Raúl Jiménez does it again and makes history in style

The numbers do not lie, but what Raúl Jiménez delivered in this final goes beyond what can be put into the figures. The forward opened the scoring just eight minutes in with a classic center-forward move. Good header, low down, and the net bulging. Then, in the most nervy moment of the match, with the scores tied and the clock ticking away, he went and did it again. Injury-time penalty. And into the net, again.

With those two goals, Jiménez not only claimed the title but also achieved historic landmarks: he became the first Mexican player to score five goals in a single edition of the Nations League, the first to find the net in both semifinal and final of the same edition, and, for good measure, overtook Cuauhtémoc Blanco in the national team's all-time scorers' list. That's 39 now in Mexico's shirt.

Panama showed development

Meanwhile, Panama showed why they reached the final. The squad played with heart, balance, and created evident chances to become historic. The equalizer in the late part of the first half, a penalty converted by Carrasquilla, was the picture of a team that never surrendered.

In spite of the loss, Panama finished the tournament with its finest showing in any edition of the Nations League. The hardware is new, but it was no coincidence. The team has a decent foundation, young players coming through, and an identity that emphasizes possession. Carrasquilla, for example, had an assist in the semifinal and a goal in the final.

The jersey continues to inspire respect

With the title, Mexico is still one of the region's powerhouses. It was their fifth final in Concacaf competitions against opponents other than the United States — and they've won all of them. The Nations League title now joins the Gold Cup wins, including the 2023 final against the same Panama, also at SoFi Stadium.

That's now ten Concacaf final victories. Mexico has accumulated victories over giants and underdogs, including signature victories over the United States (five times), Brazil (twice), Jamaica (once), and Panama (twice). Records like these aren't made with talent only. It's a mentality of decision-making. When pressure time arrives, they know what to do.

César Montes anchors the defense with a game to remember

Among the Mexican standouts, one not-so-well-known name shone bright for his defensive work. César Montes ended the game with 16 saves, the most by a Mexican player in a Concacaf game in the past decade. It's the second-most all-time in a single Nations League match.

While Jiménez was stacking up goals at one end, Montes was busy at the other doing his best to keep Panama from taking over the match. His key saves kept the score manageable and allowed Mexico to navigate anxious moments. It's the type of performance that doesn't make the headlines the next day but keeps any winning streak intact.

Concacaf grows in competitiveness and spotlight

More than just a reward for Mexico, the Nations League final also highlighted a league in evolution. The technical quality of the game, the intensity of the battle, the individual talent on show, and the next generation emerging all suggest Concacaf is as healthy as ever.

Mexico's title makes the jersey heavier, yet also reveals the rise of new contenders. Panama is one of them. And when there's more competition, the overall landscape improves. Soccer in the region gains more dramatic plotlines, players with global appeal, and finals that actually attract interest beyond the borders.