Mexico vs Suriname

Photography by: Elisa Chavez

Defender César Montes stole the spotlight on Wednesday night at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, scoring twice in a six-minute span to lead Mexico to a 2–0 victory over Suriname in the Concacaf Gold Cup. The win secures Mexico’s spot in the knockout stage, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Costa Rica to determine the top spot in Group A.

Montes, who had scored just once in 53 previous international appearances, displayed an unexpected attacking prowess. His first goal came in the 57th minute, a towering header off a perfectly delivered corner from Alexis Vega. Just six minutes later, Montes struck again, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box following another Vega corner and slotting it into the bottom corner.

“I’m excited about the goals, but for me, the priority is always keeping a clean sheet,” Montes said post-match. “I didn’t imagine this—it’s usually the forwards’ job—but I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.”

The goals bring Montes’ Gold Cup tally to three, putting him in a tie for the tournament’s scoring lead alongside Costa Rica’s Manfred Ugalde.

Despite the final scoreline, the match was far from smooth sailing for Mexico. The first half was marked by missed opportunities and growing frustration among the fans, who weren’t shy about voicing their displeasure. Suriname, ranked 137th in the world, managed to stifle Mexico’s attack, even threatening with a couple of dangerous counters.

Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, acknowledged the challenges post-game. “We knew this group wouldn’t be easy, even if the results suggest otherwise. Suriname defended well, and it took us time to break them down.”

With the win, Mexico leads Group A with six points, edging Costa Rica on goal difference. The two sides will meet Sunday in Las Vegas in a much-anticipated clash, with first place in the group—and a smoother path through the knockout rounds—on the line.

The match also carries an added layer of intrigue, as Costa Rica is coached by Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera, a familiar figure in Mexican soccer who led El Tri at the 2014 World Cup.

“It’s going to be an intense match,” Montes said. “Miguel is respected in Mexico, and he’ll want to beat us. But we’ll give everything to secure the top spot.”

Despite the victory, the atmosphere in Arlington was subdued, with just over 34,000 fans attending the match in the 80,000-seat venue. The low turnout marked a record low for an official Mexico game at the stadium, raising questions about fan engagement and external factors such as immigration-related concerns.

For now, Mexico marches on, buoyed by Montes’ heroics and their undefeated start. With their eyes on a ninth Gold Cup title, El Tri will need to build on their momentum as the competition heats up.