Mexico commenced their 2025 Gold Cup campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic, with Edson Álvarez's headed goal giving El Tri a crucial early advantage. The match, held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, saw Mexico, the defending champions, face a Dominican Republic side making their debut in the competition.

The opening stages of the match saw the Dominican Republic displaying attacking intent, causing some concern for the Mexican defense. However, as the first half progressed, Mexico gradually asserted their dominance. Just before halftime, in the 44th minute, Edson Álvarez rose to meet a corner kick, delivering a powerful header that found the back of the net. This pivotal goal, Álvarez's sixth for his country, provided Mexico with a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Mexico carried their momentum into the second half, with Raúl Jiménez extending their lead just two minutes after the restart. Jiménez finished off a well-executed team move initiated by Santiago Giménez, putting Mexico firmly in control. Moments later, César Montes added a third goal for Mexico, seemingly solidifying their path to victory. However, the Dominican Republic responded swiftly, with Peter González scoring in the 51st minute to reduce the deficit. Edison Azcona further narrowed the gap in the 67th minute, making for a tense final stretch. Despite the Dominican Republic's spirited fightback, Mexico managed to hold on for a 3-2 victory.

While Mexico secured the win, the match highlighted areas for improvement as they aim to defend their Gold Cup title. The Dominican Republic, despite being the underdogs, proved to be a challenging opponent, demonstrating their attacking potential and resilience. Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre, acknowledged the need for corrections, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emotional balance throughout the tournament.

Edson Álvarez's contribution extended beyond his goal, as he played a crucial role in midfield and contributed to the build-up of Mexico's third goal. Raúl Jiménez's goal marked his 40th for the national team, placing him closer to the top of Mexico's all-time scoring list.

The victory places Mexico at the top of Group A.