Mexico vs Panama for 1st Place

Mexico vs. Panama: Concacaf Nations League Finals

The stage is set at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for a high-stakes showdown between Mexico and Panama in the Concacaf Nations League Final. This marks the fifth meeting between these two rivals in the competition—and history strongly favors El Tri, who have emerged victorious in all four previous encounters.

🏆 A Familiar Rivalry with High Stakes
Mexico enters this match with a commanding 15-game unbeaten streak against Panama, dating back to 2013. The last time Panama secured a win over Mexico was during that year’s Gold Cup, when they famously defeated El Tri twice—once in the group stage and again in the semifinals. Since then, Mexico has dominated the rivalry, including a 3-0 semifinal victory in March 2024 and a 1-0 win in the 2023 Gold Cup Final, also held at SoFi Stadium.

This is Panama’s first appearance in a Nations League final, making them the first Central American nation to reach this stage. For Mexico, it’s the 17th time competing in a Concacaf final (15 Gold Cups, 2 Nations League finals), though they have yet to claim a Nations League title.

🇲🇽 Mexico: Seeking Redemption
Mexico’s journey in this tournament has been defined by a balanced mix of youth and experience. Raúl Jiménez leads the all-time scoring chart for Mexico in Nations League history with five goals, and his experience will be crucial. Santiago Giménez, who scored the match-winner in the 2023 Gold Cup Final against Panama, is poised for another impactful performance.

Captain Edson Álvarez continues to be a midfield anchor, leading the team in passes and providing stability in defense. With 3 goals in Nations League play—including two against Panama—he is a constant threat on both ends of the pitch.

Key Players:

Raúl Jiménez – 5 goals in CNL, 4th all-time scorer for Mexico.

Santiago Giménez – Gold Cup Final hero, approaching 10 CNL appearances.

Edson Álvarez – Team captain, leads in total passes (232).

Julián Quiñones – Scored in the semifinal vs. Panama.

Johan Vásquez – Defensive standout in the semifinal against Canada.

🇵🇦 Panama: History in the Making
Panama arrives on the heels of a statement win over the United States in the semifinals, snapping a five-game CNL losing streak against North American opponents. Their semifinal hero, Cecilio Waterman, scored in the dying moments to deliver a 1-0 upset. Waterman now ties for second in Panama’s all-time CNL scoring list with four goals.

Adalberto Carrasquilla, the 2023 Gold Cup Golden Ball winner, continues to shine in midfield. His assist in the semifinal and consistent passing accuracy make him Panama’s creative engine. With 20 CNL appearances, he’s the nation’s most experienced player in the competition.

Key Players:

Cecilio Waterman – Clutch goal vs. USA; 4 CNL goals.

Adalberto Carrasquilla – 2 goals, 4 assists in CNL history.

Aníbal Godoy – Veteran leader with 15 appearances vs. Mexico.

José Fajardo – Panama’s all-time top CNL scorer (5 goals).

Orlando Mosquera – 6 clean sheets in CNL history, including the semifinal.

📊 Head-to-Head: Mexico vs. Panama in Numbers
All-time meetings: 30

Mexico: 22 wins | Panama: 2 wins | Draws: 6

Goals scored:

Mexico: 57

Panama: 16

Notable past results:

March 2024, Semifinal: Panama 0-3 Mexico

June 2023, 3rd Place: Panama 0-1 Mexico

2023 Gold Cup Final: Mexico 1-0 Panama

🔥 What to Expect
Mexico will look to finally secure a Nations League title and erase past frustrations from previous editions. Panama, on the other hand, is chasing history—aiming to become the first Central American champion in the competition’s short but prestigious history.

Whether it’s the firepower of Jiménez and Giménez or the tenacity of Carrasquilla and Waterman, this final promises intensity, tactical battles, and the possibility of another iconic chapter in Concacaf history.