So, if you watched the Panama vs Mexico 2025 Nations League final at SoFi Stadium back in March, you already know. It wasn't just another regional soccer match. It was a statement. For years, people have joked that Mexico "owns" the stadium in Inglewood, California, and honestly, they kind of do. But Panama? They didn't get the memo.
Thomas Christiansen’s squad walked onto that pitch and played like they were the ones with the 12th man. It was loud. It was chaotic. And for about 45 minutes, it felt like we were watching a genuine changing of the guard in CONCACAF.
The Night Raúl Jiménez Reminded Us He’s Still the King
Let’s talk about the actual game because the stats don't tell the whole story. Mexico won 2-1 to claim their first-ever Nations League trophy, but it was a nail-biter that probably shaved a few years off the life expectancy of every El Tri fan in the stands.
Raúl Jiménez, the Fulham striker who seems to have found a fountain of youth, opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a header. It was classic Jiménez—perfect positioning, clinical finish. You could feel the relief from coach Javier Aguirre on the sidelines. But Panama has this annoying habit of not going away. They dominated possession for long stretches of the first half, and eventually, the pressure cracked the Mexican defense.
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Adalberto Carrasquilla, arguably the best midfielder in the region right now, stepped up and buried a penalty just before halftime. 1-1.
The second half was a different beast. It was physical, maybe a little too physical at times. The game was actually suspended for a bit in the 80th minute because the crowd wouldn't stop with the homophobic chant that’s been a thorn in the side of Mexican soccer for years. It’s a recurring problem, and seeing the players standing around waiting for the "water break" to end while anti-slur messages flashed on the big screen was a sobering reminder of how much work is still left to do.
But when play resumed, the drama peaked. In the 90th minute, Panama's José Córdoba had a moment he’ll probably want to forget—a handball in the box that gave Mexico a lifeline. Jiménez stepped up, did his signature stutter-step, and slotted it home. Game over. Mexico 2, Panama 1.
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What This Rivalry Means for the 2026 World Cup
Panama isn't the "easy win" they were a decade ago. Think about it. To get to that final, they absolutely dismantled the USMNT in the semifinals. They’ve become a disciplined, tactically sound unit that relies on a 5-4-1 defensive structure that is incredibly hard to break down.
Mexico, on the other hand, is in a weird spot. They won the trophy, sure. But as we moved into the later part of 2025, things got rocky. El Tri ended the year on a six-game winless streak. Aguirre has been experimenting with aggressive lineups—often playing Santiago Giménez and Raúl Jiménez together up front—which looks great on paper but has left the midfield exposed.
The January 2026 Rematch
Because the soccer gods love a good narrative, these two are meeting again. On January 22, 2026, Mexico travels to Panama City to play at the Rommel Fernández Stadium.
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Here’s the catch: it’s a friendly. And because it’s not an official FIFA date, Mexico will be playing with an all-domestic squad. No Jiménez. No Edson Álvarez. Just the best of Liga MX trying to prove they belong on the plane for the World Cup. For Panama, this is the ultimate chance for revenge. They’ll have their home crowd, the humidity, and a point to prove.
Why You Should Care About Panama vs Mexico 2025
If you’re a casual fan, you might think the only rivalries that matter in this part of the world are USA vs Mexico. You’d be wrong. The Panama vs Mexico 2025 clashes showed that the "middle class" of CONCACAF has officially graduated.
- Tactical Sophistication: Panama’s 5-4-1 under Christiansen is a masterclass in modern defending.
- Star Power: Carrasquilla is a legitimate European-level talent who controls the tempo of games.
- Mexico's Identity Crisis: Even with a trophy in the cabinet, Mexico is struggling to find a consistent style of play under Aguirre.
Honestly, the gap has closed. The days of Mexico rolling into Central America and winning 4-0 are long gone. Every match now feels like a war of attrition.
What’s Next?
If you want to keep up with how this rivalry is evolving before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, keep a close eye on the rosters for the January 22nd friendly. It’s going to be a massive scouting opportunity for Aguirre.
Watch how Mexico's young defenders handle Cecilio Waterman and Carrasquilla in a hostile environment. If Mexico can't snap their winless streak in Panama City, the pressure on Aguirre is going to reach a boiling point before they even get to their March matches against Portugal and Belgium. The 2025 season might have ended with a trophy for Mexico, but the momentum currently feels like it's shifting toward the Canaleros.