In a thrilling match on Sunday night, Mexico secured its 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title by defeating the United States 2-1. Edson Álvarez scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute after a video review overturned an initial offside call. Chris Richards had given the U.S. an early lead in the fourth minute with a header from a Sebastian Berhalter free kick. However, Raúl Jiménez equalized for Mexico in the 27th minute with a well-placed shot, marking his third goal of the tournament.
The pivotal moment came when Mexico was awarded a free kick due to a foul on Alexis Vega. Johan Vásquez flicked the ball across the goal, allowing Álvarez to score from close range. Despite an offside signal, VAR confirmed the goal, helping Mexico defend its title for the second consecutive year and extending its record to 6-2 in finals against the U.S.
The match, held at NRG Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 70,925—predominantly supporting Mexico—saw the team dominate possession (60% to 40%) and earn 12 corner kicks compared to none for the Americans. This match was significant for both teams as it marked their final competitive encounter before co-hosting the World Cup with Canada next year.
The U.S. fielded a lineup lacking regular starters, allowing Coach Mauricio Pochettino to assess players for future roster spots, with Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang emerging as potential contenders. Jiménez’s goal brought his international tally to 42, making him the third-highest scorer in Mexican history. He celebrated by honoring former teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away recently.
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