The CONCACAF Gold Cup final kicked off Sunday night at Houston’s NRG Stadium, pitting the United States against defending champion Mexico. The Americans are chasing an eighth regional crown and their first since 2021, while Mexico is looking for a record 13th title and a second consecutive trophy. Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez took the field wearing a customised jersey bearing the No. 20 and the name “Diogo J.” in tribute to his former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate Diogo Jota, who recently died in a car accident. Jiménez levelled the match in the 27th minute, driving in a pass from Marcel Ruíz to make it 1-1, then held aloft the tribute jersey and mimicked Jota’s trademark video-game celebration. The equaliser cancelled out the United States’ early opener and energised a capacity crowd split between U.S. and Mexican supporters. The contest remained tied approaching halftime, leaving the destiny of the region’s top men’s football trophy still undecided.
Raúl Jiménez paid tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after his goal for Mexico ❤️🎮 https://t.co/46uq7fD3X0
🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽Así fue el festejo de la @miseleccionmx tras el empate de Raúl Jiménez en Houston. Fotos: Mexsport Síguelo: https://t.co/n7VqPDsWbG https://t.co/cCwsukP0Ok
Raúl Jiménez homenajea a Diogo Jota (QEPD) en la Final de Copa Oro con épico festejo incluido ⚽️🕊️ https://t.co/XwYfgTGn06 #RaulJimenez | #MexicoPorLaCopa | #DiogoJota https://t.co/hYxkFepXw6