West Ham United midfielder Edson Álvarez captained Mexico to their first CONCACAF Nations League title in the early hours of Monday morning, with a Raúl Jiménez brace earning a dramatic 2-1 win over Panama in the final.
Javier Aguirre’s side had booked their spot in the showpiece thanks to a 2-0 semi-final triumph over Canada early on Friday, following a two-legged quarter-final victory over Honduras back in November, and they were looking to go one better than their two runners-up finishes, in 2021 and 2024.
Both of those final defeats had come against the USA, but Panama's victory over Mauricio Pochettino's troops in their last-four clash meant Mexico had to overcome a different opponent in order to lift the trophy at the SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
Wearing the captain’s armband on his 85th appearance for his country, Álvarez was celebrating inside eight minutes when Fulham forward Jiménez headed in the opener to give Mexico the advantage.
Adalberto Carrasquilla levelled the game from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, but with extra-time looming, Jiménez struck his own spot-kick two minutes into second-half stoppage time to clinch the win, after Norwich City’s José Córdoba was judged to have handled the ball in his own box.
Álvarez duly received his winner’s medal and lifted the Nations League trophy following the full-time whistle, and after jubilant celebrations discussed how he hopes his nation can build on this success, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup little over a year away.
The 27-year-old said: “This is a very nice tournament to win. We had been denied it before, and well, the moment was magical for me personally, but collectively we all know that this is just the beginning.
“We have to continue along this path, there are many things to improve, but overall it's a very good atmosphere we have and we’re all feeling good.”
