March 20 – Mexico weathered a relentless Canadian storm to win 2-0 and set up a Nations League final against Panama, a repeat of the Gold Cup final in 2023 when Concacaf were last in the SoFi Stadium.
It was a scoreline that flattered the Mexicans in the face of Canada’s never-say-die offensive, but was also a testament to their defensive composure in the heat of the battle. They were compact and won the key contests against a potent strike duo in Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.
Up front for Mexico Santiago Gimenez and Raul Jimenez proved they can play alongside each other – Raul bagged a brace – and ultimately proving the key difference between the teams
It isn’t back to the drawing board for the Canadians and they will have better days, but they will need to work out how to break down a busy penalty box.
For Mexico it is a significant step on Aguirre’s rebuild as he trades old faces with new ones and a new style of play.
Jesse Marsch had promised a Canadian team that would play on the front foot, that would be relentless and fearless. For most of the match they were but it was Mexico who sprung the surprise early, taking the attack to them and scoring within the first minute, albeit a little fortuitously.
Roberto Alvarez from the kick off had a shot blocked with the ball falling to Johan Vasquez who fed the ball back into a crowded Canada box. After the ball cannoned off a Canadian defender it fell to Gimenez on 6m who calmly pushed the ball wide of Dwayne St Clair’s despairing left hand.
Mexico 1-0 up and game on. Canada responded with Marsch’s promised pace and aggression and in the 9thminute were claiming a penalty for a kick on Derek Cornelius. It was turned down but the intensity of the protests left no-one in any doubt that this would be the heavyweight fight Marsch and Aguirre had promised.
With play predominantly in the Mexican half and Canada fearlessly throwing men forward, Mexico were restricted to counter attack as Marsch’s wave of white shirted Canadian warriors threw everything they had at their opposition.
On the half hour Alphonso Davies, a class act in any team, hit a free kick over the wall but into Angel Malagon’s grateful arms. Mexico responded on the counter. Canada went straight back at them.
The intensity was interspersed with ferocity as referee Hector Martinez from Honduras issued four yellow cards in 15 minutes, three to Canada.
In the 38th minute Mexico had the ball in the net for a second time. A breakway saw Alistair Johnson give a foul away on the left. The free kick was headed in but disallowed for a foul by Jimenez.
It was at times brutal. On 43’ Johan Vasquez led with his head on Cyle Larin. Davies hit the free kick from the edge of the box, this time just wide.
The sides went in at half time with Mexico 1-0 up and everyone needing the 15 minute break to calm down.
Canada opened the second half where they left off the first. Davies and Ismael Kone both had shots blocked while a Larin effort deflected agonisingly wide. Moises Bombito’s header from a corner was blocked.
The momentum was with Canada and their relentlessness that pushed the Mexicans deeper into their own half. On the hour mark a ball into the box was met by Cornelius but was pushed wide.
Marsch worked his bench bringing Jacob Shaffelberg up front, then sending in Tajon Buchanan and Mathieu Choniere in midfield. They made little difference.
In the 73rd minute a rare Mexican counter attack saw Steven Estaquio bring Santiago Gimenez down just outside the Canada box. It proved to be the nail in Canada’s coffin.
Raul Jimenez stepped up to hit the free kick over the wall and wide of St Clair’s dive to his left. The Canadian keeper should have done better. 2-0 Mexico against the run of play.
On 81 minutes Jimenez had the ball in the net again only to have it ruled out for a foul on the defender.
Canada huffed and puffed to the end, but Mexico comfortably absorbed the pressure that was missing a good final ball and was absent of that golden goalscoring touch.
Mexico will meet Panama in the final on Sunday, right after the Canadians have played the USA for third place.
The Nations League trophy, which has only ever been won by the USA in its first three editions, will have a new name on it on Sunday night.
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