Mexico open gold Cup with 3-2 win over Dominican Republic
Mexico forward, Raul Jimenez celebrates his goal in Mexico’s 3-2 victory against Dominican Republic. (Photo courtesy: Concacaf.com)
he Mexican men’s national team opened their 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign with a 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic Men’s National Team in front of an announced crowd of 54,309 at Sofi Stadium.
Mexico was the better side with much more chances and possession in the first half, but the Dominican Republic held their own defensively against what many consider to be the best team in the Concacaf region.
“In my opinion the best way to support more than a victory is our effort…” said Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre in Spanish after the match. “The best way to represent our compatriots during such complicated times is to do what we have to do on the field.
The fist goal for Mexico came in the 44th minute when the selección earned a corner kick on the right side of the pitch. Two players stood over the ball and one ran away before Orbelín Pineda kicked the ball towards the near post for Edson Álvarez.
Álvarez was not defended well and wide open allowing him to easily head the ball in to make it 1-0 just before halftime. Alvarez went on to take a a moment to kiss the badge while pointing out to the crowd.
He posted to social media prior to the match in a message of support to fans regarding in support of immigration because of protests in Los Angeles.
Mexico came out strong to start the second half notching a goal within two minutes. Raul Jiménez caught the Dominican Republic on their back foot getting open behind their line very easily to receive a well placed through ball from Santi Gimenez inside the 18-yard box. Jiménez moved the ball a bit closer before slipping a shot past the goalkeeper on his near side to make it 2-0.
Peter Gonzalez received the ball following a throw in on the right side of the pitch, meanwhile a second ball was thrown back onto the field creating some confusion. Still, Gonzalez moved forward with ease and struck the ball well with his left foot to send. It past Mexico goalkeeper, Luis Malign to make it 2-1.
Mexico did not wait long to respond. Only two minutes later the Selección earned a corner kick on the opposite end. The service from Alexis Vega went straight toward the middle for Alvarez again, however this time Alvarez headed the ball into a fellow player inside the box. The header luckily deflected off César Montes and away from the diving Dominican Republic goalkeeper in an awkward angle to make it 3-1.
Dominican Republic remained comfortable in the game throughout the match threatening to score and eventually did so in the 67th minute. Edison Azcona cut in to his right with three Mexico defenders in front of him. He unleashed a low shot with his right that deflected off a defender allowing it to take a difficult bounce over the goalkeeper to make it 3-2.
The match marked the first of three group stage matches for the Mexican national team. Their next match will take place on Wednesday, June 18, against Suriname at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Suriname will play their first match on Sunday, March 15, against Costa Rica.
