Jiménez’s brace sends Mexico into Concacaf Nations League final

INGLEWOOD, California (AP):

Raúl Jiménez scored in the opening minute and again in the 75th, lifting Mexico into the Concacaf Nations League final with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night.

Jiménez, a 33-year-old Fulham striker, scored his 36th and 37th international goals to thrill a stadium packed with fans of El Tri, welcomed as the home team whenever they play in Southern California.

Mexico will face Panama tomorrow at SoFi Stadium for the chance to become the first winners of this tournament other than the hosts US.

Panama opened the semifinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Americans, who won the first three editions of this tournament. Cecilio Waterman got the winner for Panama in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the game.

After beating Honduras last November in the Nations League quarterfinals, Mexico have won back-to-back matches for the first time since their run to the 2023 Gold Cup title. El Tri won that trophy at SoFi Stadium, with Santi Giménez’s late goal beating Panama 1-0 in the final.

Mexico are back in form overall after a strong performance against Canada, who managed just one shot on target.

“We were a team today,” Giménez said. “We were a family, and we’re very happy to be in the final. I think this Cup, we’re coming to win it.”

Coach Javier Aguirre used both of his most dangerous offensive players simultaneously, playing Jiménez at centre forward and Giménez on the right side of the front line while deploying Alexis Vega on the left. The strategy worked against Canada.

“For me, it’s an honour to play with Raúl,” said Giménez, who plays for AC Milan. “I think he’s a great striker. I need to learn a lot (from) him. We have a special connection because we’re strikers that are doing well in the club. Of course, we haven’t played in the club with two strikers, but it was nice. I’m really happy.”

Canada will face the struggling Americans in the third-place match on Sunday in the latest international sporting competition between neighbours put at odds by President Donald Trump’s incendiary rhetoric and tariff war. The Four-Nations hockey tournament earlier this winter featured Canadian fans booing the US national anthem.

“I thought that our guys really pushed the game,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. “I thought we were organised. We were the aggressors. We were on top of many moments. I thought every guy gave a good performance, and it’s just one of those games where the bounces just don’t really go your way.”