SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a tightly contested match on Wednesday night, Mexico secured a spot in its 12th CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Honduras. The lone goal was delivered by Raúl Jiménez in the 50th minute, expertly set up by an assist from the talented 16-year-old Gilberto Mora.
With this win, Mexico has set up yet another classic showdown against the United States in the final on Sunday night in Houston. This clash marks the eighth time both nations will face off in the competition’s title game, with Mexico leading their historical encounter record 5-2. Historically, Mexico possesses nine Gold Cup titles, the U.S. has seven, and Canada has won once.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Alexis Vega initiated a promising sequence by passing to Mora near the box’s top. Mora deftly slid the ball to Jiménez, who did not disappoint, scoring with a precise right-footed shot past Edrick Menjívar, recording his 42nd career international goal.
Just minutes later, it seemed Mexico had doubled its advantage when Edson Álvarez found the net from a set piece, but a video review controversially disallowed it, citing offside. Regardless, Mexico managed to defend its slender lead as Honduras, ranked 75th globally, struggled to fashion a meaningful equalizer.
Coach Javier Aguirre expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort, stating, “We had a deserved victory,” through an interpreter. Despite an earlier humbling 6-0 defeat to Canada, Honduras reached this stage for the first time since 2013. Their last appearance in the final was in the inaugural tournament in 1991, where they lost on penalties to the United States.
Mexico has maintained a formidable defense, keeping a clean sheet for 383 minutes, with goalkeeper Luis Malagón barely tested in recent fixtures, making only a solitary save from a Dixon Ramírez shot late in the first half.
El Tri had two notable scoring chances toward the first half’s close. Johan Vásquez’s deflected shot was safely caught by Menjívar, while the goalie showed his sharp reflexes by saving Marcel Ruíz’s effort in the 42nd minute, with Julián Martínez effectively clearing the resultant rebound.
A tense moment arose in the 11th minute when an altercation ensued on the sidelines. Romell Quioto aggressively sought the ball near the Mexico bench area, leading to a confrontation with reserve player Guillermo Ochoa. The incident led to a heated exchange between both teams, resulting in a yellow card for Ochoa.