Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 11:38 IST

Jimenez netted for El Tri in the 50th minute of the game to secure the win and move into the summit clash, where they are set to take on the USA.

Defending champions Mexico claimed a 1-0 win over Honduras in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 on Thursday at the Levi’s Stadium in California, USA.

Raul Jimenez netted for El Tri in the 50th minute of the game to secure the win and move into the summit clash, where they are set to take on the USA.

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“We had a deserved victory,” Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre said following the triumph.

El Tri advanced to face the United States in the final on Sunday night in Houston, marking the eighth time the two countries will meet in the title game, with Mexico holding a 5-2 head-to-head advantage.

Mexico broke through early in the second half with a play initiated by Alexis Vega, who passed to Mora near the top of the box. Mora then slid a pass to Jiménez, who scored his 42nd career international goal with a right-footed shot past Edrick Menjivar.

Ranked No. 17, Mexico appeared to extend their lead a few minutes later when Edson Alvarez tapped in a goal from a set piece. However, it was disallowed after a video review determined he was offside.

Honduras reached this stage for the first time since 2013 despite a 6-0 loss to Canada in their tournament opener. The Hondurans haven’t reached the final since the inaugural tournament in 1991 when they lost to the U.S. in a penalty shootout.

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Mexico hasn’t conceded a goal in 383 minutes, and goalkeeper Luis Malagon has only had to make one save in the last three matches — an easy stop on Dixon Ramírez’s shot from outside the box late in the first half.

El Tri had two good opportunities late in the first half. Johan Vasquez’s shot in the box deflected off Honduran defender Denil Maldonado and went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Menjivar.

Menjivar then made a sharp save against Marcel Ruiz in the 42nd minute, and Julián Martínez cleared the rebound out of danger.

A tense moment occurred in the 11th minute when a ball was played into the Mexico bench area. Romell Quioto aggressively tried to retrieve the ball for Honduras, which led to an altercation with Mexican reserve Guillermo Ochoa, resulting in a heated exchange among players from both teams and a yellow card for Ochoa.

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