Mexico Aims for Historic Win Against Panama in CONCACAF Final

INGLEWOOD, California — The Mexican national soccer team will vie for its first-ever CONCACAF Nations League title against Panama on Sunday night at Sofi Stadium, following a surprising win by Panama over the United States in the semifinals.

Mexico, under the leadership of coach Javier Aguirre, aims to break a streak of two previous finals losses in this tournament, both against the U.S. Aguirre has emphasized the importance of winning the championship to secure his position, as previous coaches have faced dismissal after failing to capture this title.

The Mexican team achieved victory in the semifinals against Canada with a 2-0 scoreline, thanks to key contributions from forward Raúl Jiménez, who scored both goals. Jiménez’s resurgence comes after recovering from a severe head injury sustained in 2020, which had previously cast doubt on his career.

“For me, it is an honor to play with someone like Raúl,” said Santiago Giménez, who also plays as a forward and is on the roster for the final. “We need to learn a lot from him.”

Aguirre, taking the helm of the national team for the third time, knows the stakes are high. “We must play a perfect match,” he said regarding the final against Panama. “Mexico is capable of defeating them, that I truly believe.”

Historically, Mexico has dominated the region but has faced increased challenges from its northern neighbors, including Canada and the United States. The last three matches between Mexico and Canada were not wins for the Mexican side, raising the stakes for their semifinal bout just days earlier.

Aguirre’s squad will also see the return of central defender César Montes, who missed the semifinal due to suspension. This allows Aguirre the opportunity to return Edson Álvarez to his natural position in midfield.

“Pressure always exists on the national team to perform well and win tournaments; that is always palpable,” Aguirre remarked. “We can soften or sugarcoat defeats, but I’m focused on winning this competition too.”

On the other side, Panama, led by coach Thomas Christiansen, is making its first appearance in a final of this tournament. Christiansen has stated that he will not use political tensions between nations to motivate his players for this crucial match.

<p“I don’t have a plan to motivate the team by discussing politics,” Christiansen said. “That’s not my area; I prefer to leave it behind.”

Despite not being favored, Panama has proven to be a formidable opponent in this tournament. The matchup between Mexico and Panama will be a reflection of their individual strengths and tactical approaches, promising an exciting showdown as both teams seek to claim their place in the tournament’s history.

“This is football, and we can play in any formation,” Jiménez added, highlighting the team’s adaptability. “We are all on the same page, from the goalkeeper to the forwards. A final is coming, and we will win it.”