Raul Zimenez’s dramatic suspension time penalty against Panama, crowned the Maiden International League of Mexicans.
Raul Zimenez scored a brace, including a stop time penalty, to win Mexico in the Conca Caffenations League final in Inglewood, California, 2-1 against Panama.
Jimenez, who also won the orthotics in Mexico’s Canada semi-finals, went up to the penalty spot after a handball from Jose Cordoba and sent the shot to the top right corner for the second goal of Sunday’s match.
With the victory, Mexico is the first winner of a new non-US tournament after the Americans who lost to Panama in this year’s semifinals won the first three editions in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Jimenez, who advances with Fulham in the English Premier League, placed Mexico early forward in the eighth minute when he bounced the header from the left side into the net from the right pass by Roberto Alvarado.
However, Panama drew a penalty on the stop time at the end of the first half when Adalberto Karaskira returned home from the scene with a shot in the middle after a foul was called to Cecilio’s Waterman.
Mexico pushed for most of the second half, with Zimenez sealing the victory shortly after play was temporarily suspended, and players from both teams were taken to the side of the pitch after homophobic chants from Mexican supporters continued after early warnings within the stadium.
Early on Sunday, Canada beat US 2-1 in the third place match, with Jonathan David getting the winner early in the second half, sending a shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner.
Canada first attacked with a goal from Tani Oluwaseyi, but the US responded soon with a goal from Patrick Agyemang.
