Mexico secured their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Saudi Arabia. A crucial strike from Alexis Vega just after halftime and a late own goal by Abdullah Madu sealed the win, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Honduras in the last four.
The 12-time champions will now face Honduras, who earlier in the day knocked out Panama in a penalty shootout, in the semi-finals in Santa Clara on Wednesday.
“I’m really happy with the team’s work,” said a jubilant Vega, whose goal marked his first for Mexico since 2022. “We will give everything to recuperate, get ready and try to reach another grand final.”
The deadlock was broken in the 49th minute when Fulham forward Raul Jimenez’s quick through ball initiated Vega’s run into the box. Although Saudi keeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi initially blocked Vega’s attempt, the Toluca striker pounced on the rebound to find the back of the net.
Saudi Arabia’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 81st minute. Matteo Chavez’s cross from the left took a deflection off defender Madu, inadvertently doubling Mexico’s lead and putting the game beyond reach.
Despite the final score, Saudi Arabia, invited to the tournament and finishing second in Group D, put up a commendable fight, particularly in the first half where they successfully contained Mexico’s formidable attack.
Early in the match, Vega was a constant threat, though his efforts didn’t immediately yield a goal. In the 13th minute, his diagonal shot was just too high for Marcel Ruiz, and two minutes later, Ali Majrashi’s acrobatic clearance prevented Roberto Alvarado’s shot from reaching Raul Jimenez. Majrashi himself nearly put Saudi Arabia ahead in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error, but his shot narrowly missed the near post.
Mexico’s captain, Edson Alvarez, was denied by a quick save from Al-Aqidi just before the half-hour mark after Vega delivered a precise corner kick to him unmarked in the box. Young midfielder Gilberto Mora, making his international debut at just 16, found Vega with a short cross just before halftime, but the striker’s shot went wide.
Mexico, who managed only one shot on target in the first half, came out aggressively after the break. Ruiz cleared the Saudi defensive line to receive a through ball from Vega but hit the crossbar from close range. The collective groans of the Mexico supporters quickly turned to cheers a minute later when Vega finally broke the deadlock, propelling his team into the semi-finals.
