HOUSTON — Mexico triumphed over the United States with a 2-1 victory on Sunday night, securing their record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup championship. Edson Álvarez netted a decisive goal in the 77th minute after a video review overturned an offside decision.
Chris Richards gave the U.S. an early lead in the fourth minute by heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick, marking his second headed goal of the tournament. However, Raúl Jiménez equalized in the 27th minute, scoring his third goal in this Gold Cup run.
The free kick opportunity for Mexico came when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on the wing. Johan Vásquez sent the ball across the goal, and Álvarez surged past the defense to steer the ball from three yards just within Matt Freese’s far post. Although initially flagged for offside, VAR awarded the goal, allowing Mexico to defend their 2023 title and improve their Gold Cup finals record to 6-2 against the United States.
Patrick Agyemang had a chance two minutes into stoppage time, but he didn’t make good contact on his short-range shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
A sellout crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium was about 70% pro-Mexico and booed U.S. players when they walked out for pregame warmups. Mexico dominated with 60% possession and had 12 corner kicks to none for the Americans.
This was the last competitive match for the U.S. and Mexico before co-hosting next year’s World Cup with Canada.
The U.S., which has seven Gold Cup titles but none since 2021, used a starting lineup with only a handful of players currently projected as World Cup starters, missing regulars due to vacation, injuries and the Club World Cup.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino used their absence to evaluate players who could push for starting jobs during the friendlies this fall and next spring, and Luna and Agyemang emerged as contenders for World Cup roster spots.
Richards put the U.S. in front when he headed Berhalter’s free kick from about 40 yards off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down and just crossed the goal line.
Jiménez scored his 42nd international goal, third-most in Mexican history. He burst past the defense and one-timed the pass from Marcel Ruiz, beating Freese from about 10 yards on a shot that might have nicked defender Tim Ream.
Jiménez celebrated by grabbing a Mexico No. 20 jersey with “DIOGO J” in honor of Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton teammate who died in a car crash Thursday in Spain. Jiménez ran to a corner, sat down with the jersey and mimicked playing a video game.
