Fulham forward Raul Jimenez scored a wonderful winner as defending champions Mexico narrowly beat Honduras in the Gold Cup semi-final this morning in California.

Jimenez’s 42nd international goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Javier Aguirre’s side against cynical opposition, but El Tri’s performance was unconvincing. The winner arrived five minutes into the second half when Alexis Vega found Gilberto Mora and the sixteen year-old starlet slid a pass into the veteran striker, who beat Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjívar with a fine right-footed finish.

Mexico thought they had doubled their lead through Edson Álvarez but his goal from a set-play was chalked off by VAR. They held on after eight minutes of added time and will meet the United States, who beat Guatemala in the other semi-final thanks to a stunning strike from Diego Luna, in the final. Jimenez will likely be up against his former Fulham team-mate Tim Ream, who has captained Mauricio Pochettino’s team at this tournament, on Sunday.