Thanks to a deserved 2-1 victory over hosts USA, record winners Mexico secured another CONCACAF Gold Cup title, overcoming an early deficit in the process.
Compared to the 2-1 win over Guatemala in the semifinals, US coach Mauricio Pochettino made no changes to his starting lineup. The Argentine fielded the same starting 11 for the third game in a row.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, on the other hand, made changes to his defensive wing positions after the 1-0 semi-final win over Honduras: Javier Sanchez and Jesus Gallardo started in place of Julian Araujo (not in the squad) and Mateo Chavez (on the bench).
Richards shocks Mexico early, but Jimenez responds
Although the Mexicans pressed high in the opening minutes, the USA got off to a dream start: after a free kick from the halfway line, former Bundesliga player Chris Richards (Bayern, Hoffenheim) headed the ball just under the crossbar and into the net before it rebounded back into the field (4th minute). Mexico then needed a few minutes to recover from the shock of the early goal.
However, the longer the first half went on, the better the defending champions got into the game. After 16-year-old Gilberto Mora forced US keeper Matt Freese into action for the first time (24th minute), Mexico equalized to make it 1-1: following a clever pass, Raul Jimenez scored with a striker’s finish from ten meters out (27th minute). The Mexicans kept up the pressure, with Mora testing Freese again (40th minute).
It was only shortly before half-time that the US, who had been unable to get out of their own half for long periods, created another dangerous chance. Mexico’s goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon was somewhat fortunate to save with his head after a long ball (45+1). A US lead at half-time would have been undeserved.
VAR reverses offside decision, Alvarez’s goal stands
Mexico started the second half in dominant fashion once again. Roberto Alvarado curled the ball just wide of the goal (51′). However, the US dug in deeper in defense as the game progressed and hardly allowed any shots on goal.
That was until the 77th minute, when Edson Alvaraz scored from close range after a free kick and a header. Initially, the assistant referee’s flag went up, but the offside decision was overturned after a VAR check, and Mexico’s 2-1 win was confirmed.
In stoppage time, Patrick Agyemang came close to equalizing for the USA (90+2). But in the end, it remained a narrow victory for record winners Mexico, who defended their 2023 title and won the Gold Cup twice in a row for the first time since 2011.
Several stars had withdrawn from the US squad ahead of the tournament, some due to injury, others for other reasons, including Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah.