Mexico 2-0 Saudi Arabia, CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025: El Tri Overcome Resolute Green Falcons Defence

Mexico secured their place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 semi-finals after a scrappy 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia in the quarter-final match at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on 29 June. Despite wave after wave of Mexican attack, the Saudi defence held firm to keep goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi’s goal out of danger. However, after a goalless first half, Mexico took the lead early on in the second half through Alexis Vega, with the forward slotting in the rebound after Alaqidi saved his initial effort. With no attacking threat from the Saudis, Mexico pushed forward, and the pressure paid off as Santiago Gimenez’s run into the box forced an own goal from Abdullah Madu in the 81st minute.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 30 June 2025 10:07 am

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Mohammed Bakor

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Saudi Arabia defender Mohammed Bakor (17) and Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) eye the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Ali Majrashi

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Saudi Arabia defender Ali Majrashi (26) and Mexico forward Alexis Vega (10) chase after the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Abdullah Madu

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Saudi Arabia defender Abdullah Madu (5) jumps over Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Feras Albrikan

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Saudi Arabia forward Feras Albrikan (9) traps the ball while pressured by Mexico defender Julián Araujo (22) and Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Roberto Alvarado

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado (25) dribbles the ball past Saudi Arabia midfielder Ali Alhassan (6) during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Marcel Ruiz

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) dribbles the ball past Saudi Arabia midfielder Ali Alhassan (6) during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Julián Araujo

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Mexico defender Julián Araujo (22) and Saudi Arabia forward Abdulrahman Alobud (24) battle for the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Mexico vs Saudi Arabia in Arizona_Nawaf Bu Washl

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia | Photo: AP/Samantha Chow

Saudi Arabia defender Nawaf Bu Washl (13) and Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado (25) battle for the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Glendale, Arizona.

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