HOUSTON Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 on Sunday night to win their record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title. Edson Lvarez scored the game-winning goal in the 77th minute after a video review overturned an offside call.
Raul Jimnez knotted the game in the 27th minute with his third goal of this Gold Cup, but Chris Richards gave the United States the lead in the fourth minute by heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the competition.
Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank, awarding Mexico the free kick. Lvarez blasted past the defenders after Johan V. Squez flicked the restart across the goal mouth, rerouting the ball from three yards inside Matt Freese’s far post. Although the play was first ruled offside, the VAR awarded the goal, and Mexico improved to 6-2 over the U.S. in the Gold Cup finals and defended their 2023 title.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Patrick Agyemang had an opportunity, but goalie Luis Malag blocked his short-range attempt because he failed to make proper contact.
U.S. captain Tim Reams stated, “Obviously, we’re disappointed to not come away with a win.”
About 70% of the 70,925 people in the sold-out NRG Stadium were pro-Mexico, and they jeered American players as they left for pregame warm-ups. With 60% of the ball and 12 corner kicks to none for the Americans, Mexico dominated.
Before co-hosting the World Cup with Canada the following year, this was the final competitive encounter between the United States and Mexico.
The United States, which has won seven Gold Cups but none since 2021, started with a starting lineup that only included a few players who are now expected to start in the World Cup. Regulars were out because to injury, vacation, and the Club World Cup.
During the friendlies this autumn and next spring, coach Mauricio Pochettinouse utilized their absence to assess players who would compete for starting positions, and Luna, Agyemang, and Freese stood out as potential World Cup team candidates.
When Richards headed Berhalter’s free kick from around 40 yards off the crossbar, he put the United States ahead. The ball barely crossed the goal line after bouncing straight down.
Jim Nez recorded the third-most goals in Mexican history with his 42nd goal for his country. With a shot that could have nicked Ream, he blasted past the defense and one-timed Marcel Ruiz’s ball, beating Freese from around ten yards out.
In remembrance of Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton teammate who lost his life in a vehicle accident in Spain on Thursday, Jimnez rejoiced by grabbing a Mexico No. 20 shirt with DIOGO J. Jimnez sprinted to a corner, took a seat wearing the jersey, and pretended to play a video game.
