Mexico commenced their 2025 Gold Cup title defense with a narrow 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. The match, the opening fixture of Group A, saw Mexico, the reigning champions, face a Dominican Republic side making its debut in the competition. While Mexico ultimately secured the win, the match was far from a comfortable affair, with concerns arising both on and off the field.

Mexico, heavily favored to win the group and the tournament, started strong, dominating possession early on. Edson Álvarez, the West Ham midfielder, broke the deadlock just before halftime with a powerful header from a corner kick. Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead shortly after the restart, capitalizing on a well-executed team move. César Montes added a third goal in the 53rd minute, seemingly putting Mexico in firm control.

However, the Dominican Republic showed resilience and fighting spirit, scoring two goals to close the gap. Peter González scored in the 51st minute, followed by Edison Azcona in the 67th minute, making for a tense final stretch. Despite the Dominican Republic's efforts, Mexico managed to hold on for the win, securing three points and topping Group A.

While the victory was a positive start for Mexico, the performance raised questions about the team's overall form and ability to dominate opponents as they have in the past. The narrow scoreline against a lower-ranked team highlighted vulnerabilities in the Mexican squad and suggested that they may face tougher challenges as the tournament progresses.

Adding to the concerns on the field, events outside the stadium cast a shadow over the match. Reports indicated a reduced attendance compared to previous Mexico matches at SoFi Stadium, with many attributing this to fears within the Latino community regarding potential immigration enforcement activities. Heightened concerns and protests related to immigration policies led to a more subdued atmosphere than typically seen at matches involving the Mexican national team. Several supporters' groups cancelled their traditional pregame festivities in solidarity with those affected by the immigration raids. The team broke its silence after the game, with coach Javier Aguirre congratulating his team.

Despite these challenges, the match did offer some positive moments for Mexico. Edson Álvarez's performance was a standout, as he not only scored the opening goal but also contributed to the team's overall play. Raúl Jiménez's goal was also a significant moment, marking his 40th for the national team and moving him closer to the top of Mexico's all-time scoring chart.

Looking ahead, Mexico will need to address the issues exposed in this match if they are to successfully defend their Gold Cup title. They will need to improve their defensive solidity, sharpen their attacking edge, and find a way to overcome the off-field distractions that may impact their performance. Their next Group A match is against Suriname on June 19th. The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, will look to bounce back against Costa Rica on the same day. Both teams will be aiming to secure a place in the knockout stages.