CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025: Holders Mexico off to winning start at LA28 opening ceremony venue

Defending champions Mexico began their CONCACAF Gold Cup football title defence with a 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic on Saturday (14 June) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the venue set to host the opening ceremony of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Edson Alvarez put the 9-time champions ahead in the first half before London 2012 gold medallist Raul Jimenez converted a penalty early in the second half for his 40th international goal to put Mexico 2-0 up.

Tournament debutants Dominican Republic pulled one back through Peter Gonzalez, before two deflected goals; first one for Mexico and then another for the Dominican Republic; set up a thrilling finish, with the defending champions holding on for all three points.

Top of the group Mexico will next play against Suriname on Wednesday (18 June) while the Dominican Republic face Costa Rica on the same day.

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