INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mexico earned a 2-nil win against Canada to determine the second finalist of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, USA.

With two goals from Raúl Jiménez, Mexico advanced to its third CNL final and second consecutive. The result also sets up a rematch of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Final against Panama, who won its semifinal match earlier in the day to dethrone the United States.

Jiménez struck the opening goal in the 1’ with a right-footed finish to pounce on a loose ball inside the box. The chance originated from an outside-the-box attempt by Roberto Alvarado that deflected off the Canadian defense and into the penalty area.

Alvarado had a chance to get on the scoresheet himself in the 19’, running into the penalty arc to meet a ball over the top from Carlos Rodríguez, but the chance was denied by the feet of Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

 

 

Alphonso Davies struck on target off a free kick opportunity in the 31’ but the attempt went right to the hands of Luis Ángel Malagón.

Davies attempted another free kick in the 44’ but was wide of the mark as The Reds continued to push for the equalizer.

Cyle Larin continued Canada’s offensive in the second half, striking from the top of the box in the 53’, but had his shot deflected over the goal by Johan Vásquez.

Jiménez scored again, in the 75’ with a precise free kick just inside the right post to beat the Canadian wall and St. Clair.

Luis Chávez had one final look for Mexico in the 90’+1, with his attempt going wide of the target.

Moïse Bombito connected a header off a corner kick in the 90’+3 but could not connect on frame as Malagón concluded the night with a clean sheet.

Mexico will meet Panama on Sunday as both nations seek their first Concacaf Nations League trophy. Canada and the United States will meet earlier in the evening in the third-place match.

Post-Match Data

Mexico’s victory over Canada ends a run of three matches without a win against them (D2 L1). Their previous win was also in the semifinal of a Concacaf competition (2021 Gold Cup) by the score of 2-1.

With this win and the one registered in the second leg of the quarter-finals against Honduras (4-0), Mexico had consecutive clean sheets in Concacaf Nations League for the second time in the competition, after a similar run (W2) between November 2023 and March 2024.

Raúl Jiménez is the third player to score a brace in the semi-finals or final of the Concacaf Nations League, joining Americans Christin Pulisic (2023 semi-final v. Mexico) and Haji Wright (2024 semi-final v. Jamaica). His second goal was the first direct free-kick goal scored in the semi-final or final of the competition.

Raúl Jiménez’s goal after 49 seconds was the third goal scored in the first minute of matches in the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals and final and the second by Mexico after Jesús Corona scored after 60 seconds against the USA in the 2021 final. The opener by Raúl Jiménez, after 49 seconds, is the quickest for Mexico in competitive matches in the last 10 years and the quickest for the forward in his professional career.

Alphonso Davies completed seven dribbles against Mexico, the most ever in a match in the semi-finals or final of the Concacaf Nations League. Davies has completed 60 dribbles in his career in all rounds in the Concacaf Nations League, 20 more than any another player.