In a thrilling final at NRG Stadium, Mexico triumphed over the United States 2-1, securing its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title. The match saw Chris Richards give the U.S. an early lead in the fourth minute, converting a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter. However, Mexico quickly responded, with Raúl Jiménez scoring his third goal of the tournament in the 27th minute to level the match. Jiménez, who celebrated by honoring his late friend Diogo Jota, broke past the U.S. defense to score from approximately 10 yards.
The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Edson Álvarez scored after a video review overturned an offside decision. Following a free kick awarded to Mexico due to a foul by Diego Luna, Johan Vásquez flicked the ball towards goal, allowing Álvarez to redirect it inside the post. This goal helped Mexico defend its 2023 title and improved their record against the U.S. in finals to 6-2.
The match featured a vibrant atmosphere with a sellout crowd of 70,925, predominantly supporting Mexico. The U.S. struggled with possession, holding 40% and generating no corner kicks, while Mexico maintained 60% possession and earned 12 corners. The U.S. fielded a lineup with several substitutes due to player absences from vacations, injuries, and other tournaments. Coach Mauricio Pochettino took this opportunity to assess potential World Cup candidates as they prepare to co-host the next World Cup with Canada. Despite the loss, young players like Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang showed promise for future competitions.
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