The gold medal escaped for the Mexican U-23 team in Santo Domingo 2026. Venezuela defeated Tricolor 3-2 in the penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw that remained during regulation time and overtime, a result that left Mexico with the silver and frustrated its attempt to win the two-time Central American championship.
The definition from eleven steps had a clear protagonist: Venezuelan goalkeeper Diego Ochoa, who stopped three Mexican shots and became the decisive figure in the final.
Mexico came to the match with the intention of repeating the success achieved the day before by the women's team, which had also won gold on penalties. This time, however, the outcome was different.
The team led by Eduardo Arce showed the ability to react during the match and managed to recover from a deficit on the scoreboard on two occasions.
An adverse start and Mateo Levy's response
La Vinotinto hit as soon as the game began. At minute 1, Luis Carrera completed a quick counterattack and put Venezuela ahead, taking advantage of the Mexican defensive confusion.
The Tricolor's response came thanks to Mateo Levy. The Cruz Azul forward tied the score at 24' after recovering a ball three quarters of the field, driving towards the area and finishing before the goalkeeper came out.
Equality did not last long. Five minutes later, Diego Claut put Venezuela back in front after connecting with a cross from the left.
Levy appeared again before the break and scored his double by finishing first inside the area, leaving the score 2-2.
In the second half, the game changed pace. Mexico took the initiative, while Venezuela opted to take advantage of the spaces on the counterattack. Clear chances were rare and the tie remained until the end of regulation time.
Decisive penalties and a pending debt
The extra time did not change the score either. Physical exhaustion and nerves marked the end of the match and forced the title to be defined from the penalty spot.
Ochoa stopped three Mexican shots and secured the Venezuelan victory 3-2 in the series.
The duel also had a special precedent: it was the fifth Central American final between both teams. Before this match, Mexico and Venezuela had two wins each in matches for the gold medal.
With this defeat, Mexico will have to continue waiting to win a two-time championship in men's soccer at the Central American and Caribbean Games, something it has not achieved for 88 years.
The Mexican team closed the tournament with the silver medal, while Venezuela celebrated the title after winning a final that was resolved in the last detail.
