Mexico comes from behind against the US in the final and is a two-time champion

▲ With a powerful left-footed shot, Raúl Jiménez (9) scored his 42nd goal as a national team player. Photo AFP

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, July 7, 2025, p. 9

Mexico entered the Gold Cup with the goal of defending its reign in CONCACAF against the United States. In the final official test of the two teams that will co-host the World Cup in less than a year, Mexico won the decisive match 2-1, highlighting the importance of a coach like Javier Aguirre's talent and settling a rivalry-filled derby at NRG Stadium in Houston, with its 13th triumph in the tournament since 1965 and its tenth under the current format. As two-time champions of the group (2023 and 2025), the confederation awarded the national team more than $4 million in prize money.

Despite their opponent's star-studded absence, the first half seemed like a sufficient obstacle. Aguirre clenched his fist, turned to his substitutes, and gritted his teeth, as if he'd just stepped on a surface of spikes, when American Chris Richards' goal fell in the fourth minute. The Crystal Palace defender headed in Malik Tillman's cross between Johan Vázquez and César Montes, and directed the ball into the corner of Luis Ángel Malagón's goal, even bouncing off the crossbar.

With a show of authority, Vasco demanded that no one give up. If anyone knows the impossible in this football world, it's him, a master at avoiding relegation in Spain and winning last-minute trophies in the Liga MX. From his coaching staff, he quickly turned the page and hid the ghosts of past defeats against the bitter rival in the region. No goal in the tournament was as resounding, as shouted by the Mexican fans, as Jiménez's equalizer (27). The Fulham striker navigated the most critical moment for El Tricolor with poise, decisiveness, and the certainty of not having to look at the goal to score.

Tribute to Diogo Jota

Jiménez received a pinpoint pass from Marcel Ruiz, changing direction with a powerful left-footed shot past goalkeeper Matt Freese to score his 42nd goal for the national team. While at the opening ceremony he swapped his usual number 9 for the number 20 of Portuguese player Diogo Jota, who died Thursday at the age of 28 in a car accident along with his brother André, he then culminated his tribute with the iconic celebration of his former Wolverhampton teammate: he sat on the floor, crossed his legs, and simulated a video game with an imaginary controller. Jota's shirt, this time bearing the national team crest, framed the reaction of a team that seemed shaky and regained its memory.

As he did with Gilberto Mora, a 16-year-old midfielder making his international debut in the Cup, Aguirre relied on the talent of 24-year-old Ruiz, who possessed superlative field vision. After assisting Jiménez for the equalizer, the Toluca midfielder combined with Mora and demanded greater attention from the U.S. defenders. Mexico competed to the rhythm of its mood, first under pressure and later, with the experience and acumen of its coach, fueled by a guerrilla instinct. In memory of those affected by the floods in Texas, the players wore a black ribbon on one sleeve of their jerseys.

In the stands, the 70,925 sold-out fans at NRG Stadium went from excitement to nerves. The cries of "Mexico, Mexico" suddenly turned into complaints to the referee, cries of despair at the mistakes made by Jiménez and Roberto Alvarado, until captain Edson Álvarez appeared on a free kick, set up by a deflection from Johan Vásquez, to achieve the comeback with a header (77).

The former América player's final act marked the Tricolor's 13th Gold Cup title (three of them when it was called the CONCACAF Nations Championship), also the second in Aguirre's career as coach (2019, his first). Gilberto Mora, at 16, became the youngest player to win the tournament.

At the Angel of Independence, fans celebrated the victory over the United States with flags and chants. There were no incidents.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, July 7, 2025, p. 9

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo congratulated the Tricolor for winning the championship last night after defeating the United States.

Congratulations to the Mexican national soccer team! For their victory in the 2025 Gold Cup , the president expressed yesterday on social media.

Last month, referring to the FIFA World Cup, the head of the federal executive emphasized that the sporting event will honor Mexico's reputation , while expressing confidence that the national team will perform well, while the fans will demonstrate that they are the best in the world .