Fulham forward Raul Jimenez inspired Mexico to come from behind and beat the United States of America to claim their tenth Gold Cup title in front of 70,000 fans in Houston this morning.
Mauricio Pochettino’s hosts made the perfect start to an emotionally-charged final when Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards headed home Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick via the crossbar just four minutes in. But Mexico dominated possession and had the better chances as the USA struggled to have many more touches inside the Mexican penalty area. Jimenez lashed in a deserved equaliser in the 27th minute when he spun away from former Fulham centre back Tim Ream atter receiving Marcel Ruíz’s ball and blasted a finish high into the roof of the net.
What a finish by Raúl Jiménez! ???
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) July 6, 2025
The @FulhamFC striker with a brilliant strike to equalise for Mexico against the USA, followed by a touching tribute to Diogo Jota ? pic.twitter.com/mOcsLurzwZ
Jimenez, who had walked out in a customised shirt bearing the number of his former Wolverhampton Wanders team-mate Diogo Jota, then paid tribute to the late Liverpool star by performing one of the Portuguese player’s Playstation celebrations with his shirt laid out on the grass. Both the goal and Jimenez’s recognition of his friend were a touch of real class.
A tense second half followed with both sides going for the winner. The Mexicans found it when Edson Alvarez headed home after Johan Vásquez had flicked on a free-kick – and, although the goal was initially ruled out for offside, the video assistant referee quickly established that it should stand to the delight of a crowd that was clearly fanatically in favour of El Tri.
New Derby County signing Patrick Agyemang came desperately close to levelling matters in the second minute of stoppage time but the striker was denied by a superb save from Ángel Malagón. The defeat was a blow for Pochettino a year ahead of the World Cup, which will be hosted by these two nations and Canada.
Jimenez is the sixth player to lift the Gold Cup whilst representing Fulham following in the footsteps of Paul Peschisolido (2000), Eddie Lewis (2002), Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Demspey (both in 2007) and Carlos Salcido (2011).
A really good strike in the final. I know he is 34 now but I doubt if anyone in the team covered as much ground as he did last season. Don’t know why we are looking for a new striker. Between them Raul and Rodrigo made 38 starts, scored 20 goals and 4 assists. This was with pretty poor service. I’ve said it before, give them the chances and they will score.
We desperately need a creative midfielder!! Thought ESR would be the one but that’s looking doubtful…maybe he’ll prove us all wrong this season
Whilst I agree they performed well. Getting a 3rd or even 4th striker is vital. Raul will not last forever and generally we were relatively lucky with injuries until the last 8+ games.
We need to plan for the future so a new striker bedded in this year will only ensure continuity for next season. A novel idea I know!
Let’s get a good young 3rd Striker as future investment and to cover for injuries . Raul has at least 2 years in him . We are lucky to have both him and Rodrigo . Agree it’s an attacking mid field player that is desperately lacking and someone who can convert free kicks into goals .
Not sure we will get a decent striker who would be happy being 3rd choice. Jay Stansfield didn’t want it and nor did Callum Osmond. Agree with Pezz we need to plan for the future but how do we keep them happy and involved bearing in mind that Marco always leans towards experience over youth.
I think Godo could be the guy we use as a young striker to mature during the season but there have been a couple of other names mentioned. Please don’t go for for a callam wilson or similar