Suriname goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, left, watches a header by Mexico defender César Montes enter his net for a goal during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) AP

For Mexico, the pressure is immense. El Tri enter this knockout match as heavy favorites, expected not just to win but to dominate as they pursue their ninth Gold Cup title. The Gold Cup has foiled some of that narrative as games have been narrow for Mexico, and they are coming off a scoreless draw against Costa Rica in the final group stage match.

Mexico topped Group A in the Gold Cup, but they didn’t exactly turn anybody’s heads in the process. El Tri defeated Suriname, 2-0, but they were pushed to the brink in a 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic before finishing off the group stage with a nil-nil draw against Costa Rica.