Raúl Jiménez's 50th-minute goal propelled Mexico to a 1-0 victory over Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal, securing their spot in the final. The match, held on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California, saw Mexico advance to their 12th Gold Cup final.
The decisive play began with Alexis Vega, who passed to 16-year-old Gilberto Mora near the top of the box. Mora then slid a pass to Jiménez, who beat Honduran goalkeeper Edrick Menjívar with a right-footed shot, marking his 42nd international goal. Mora, making only his second appearance for the Mexican national team, recorded his first assist.
Shortly after Jiménez's goal, Edson Álvarez appeared to extend Mexico's lead, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call after a VAR review. Despite the disallowed goal, Mexico managed to maintain their lead, preventing 75th-ranked Honduras from finding an equalizer. Honduras, who had reached the semifinal for the first time since 2013, struggled to create clear-cut chances against the Mexican defense.
The first half was uneventful, with few significant opportunities for either side. Mexico's first shot on target didn't arrive until the 37th minute. Honduran Dixon Ramírez's shot from outside the box was easily saved by Mexican goalie Luis Malagón. Jiménez's goal in the second half broke the deadlock and injected much-needed energy into the Mexican side.
Mexico will now face the United States in the final, their eighth Gold Cup final showdown. Of the previous seven encounters, Mexico holds a 5-2 advantage. Mexico is aiming to defend their crown and capture a historic 10th title. Mexico has won nine Gold Cups, while the U.S. has seven, and Canada has one.
Jiménez's performance has solidified his position as the preferred striker for coach Javier Aguirre, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. In contrast, Santiago Giménez has struggled to find the net during the tournament and has lost his starting spot to Jiménez. Despite this, Giménez has remained positive and supportive of the team.
The match against Honduras saw Mexico dominate possession but struggle to find quality in the final third. Ultimately, Jiménez's moment of brilliance was enough to secure the victory and propel Mexico into the final. Honduras, despite a strong push in the closing minutes, could only muster one shot on target against Malagón.
