In a high-stakes Gold Cup Final between the United States and Mexico, a first-half equalizer took a turn. As Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez scored a game-tying goal in the 27th minute, the forward took a moment to honor his former teammate, Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash on Thursday.
After the goal, Jiménez grabbed a jersey with Jota’s name and his No. 20, laying it on his lap. He then mimed playing video games to pay tribute to his friend.
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Jiménez, who currently plays for Fulham, was teammates with Jota at Wolverhampton, with the two overlapping for two seasons.
Jiménez spoke about Jota on Saturday ahead of the Gold Cup final.
“He was a great teammate who was with me for two years there at Wolves, with whom I regularly kept in touch,” Jiménez said. “We shared very beautiful moments.”
Jiménez’s goal evened things up for Mexico after an early USMNT goal from defender Chris Richards in the fourth minute.
