Nidhish Waghmare
Mexico retained their CONCACAF Gold Cup crown with a thrilling 2-1 win over the United States in the final at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday night. A 77th-minute header from captain Edson Álvarez, confirmed by VAR after initially being ruled offside, secured Mexico’s record-extending 10th Gold Cup title.
The win marked Mexico’s first tournament final victory over the USA since 2019 and ended a three-match losing streak to their North American rivals in major finals.
“It’s a very emotional moment for me,” said Álvarez, who had limped off injured at the same venue during last year’s Copa América. “I just asked life to give me one more joy.”
USA Strike First, But Mexico Take Control
The USA made a dream start when Chris Richards headed in a Sebastian Berhalter free-kick in the 4th minute, giving Mauricio Pochettino’s youthful side an early lead. But Mexico quickly took control of the match, dominating possession and creating the better chances.
In the 27th minute, Raúl Jiménez equalized with a thunderous finish after a brilliant through ball from Marcel Ruiz. Jiménez celebrated by holding up a Mexico jersey bearing the name of his late former Wolves teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash last week.
“He was a great friend and teammate,” said Jiménez. “This was for him.”
VAR Drama and Late Heroics
Mexico continued to press in the second half, and their persistence paid off when Johan Vásquez flicked on a free-kick that Álvarez headed home. Though the goal was initially flagged offside, VAR overturned the decision, sparking wild celebrations among the 71,000-strong, mostly pro-Mexico crowd.
The USA had few clear chances in the second half, with Patrick Agyemang and Alex Freeman coming closest. Despite a spirited effort, they couldn’t find a late equalizer.
Mexico’s Dominance and Tournament Awards
- 10th Gold Cup title – most in tournament history
- Edson Álvarez – Golden Ball (Best Player)
- Luis Malagón – Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper)
- Ismael Díaz (Panama) – Golden Boot (6 goals)
- USA – Fair Play Award
What’s Next for Both Teams
This was the final competitive match for both nations before they co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada. For Mexico, the win is a major confidence boost. For the USA, it’s a learning experience for a young squad missing several key players.
“We’re disappointed not to come away with a win,” said USA captain Tim Ream. “But we’ll grow from this.”
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