Mexico Beat USA 2-1 To Win CONCACAF Gold Cup For Record-Extending 10th Time

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Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 07:59 IST

Mexico came back from after Chris Richards' opening goal of the final to beat USA 2-1.

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) holds up the trophy as players and staff celebrate after their win in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. (AP Photo)

Mexico triumphed over the United States 2-1 to retain the CONCACAF Gold Cup, claiming the title for a record-extending 10th time on Sunday. A header from Mexico captain Edson Alvarez, 13 minutes from time, secured a come-from-behind victory for ‘El Tri’ after a typically intense clash between the North American rivals and 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

The victory was well-deserved for Mexico, who dominated for long stretches against Mauricio Pochettino’s inexperienced USA side, who were missing several first-choice players. Alvarez’s winning goal marked a fairytale return to Houston after he had left the field in tears at the same venue during Mexico’s opening match of the Copa America last year.

“It’s a very emotional moment for me," the West Ham midfielder said afterwards. “Ever since I got to Houston, I’ve been thinking about that heartbreak. I just asked life to give me one more joy."

The USA had a dream start, with centre-back Chris Richards heading the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of nearly 71,000 fans at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Sebastian Berhalter’s perfectly placed curling free-kick from the right caused confusion in the Mexican defence, allowing Crystal Palace defender Richards to glance a powerful header off the underside of the bar and into the net.

However, that early effort was the USA’s best chance of a first half dominated by Mexico, who spent most of the opening 45 minutes in the host nation’s territory. Mexico’s 16-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora threatened to equalise in the 24th minute, but his curling shot was saved by USA goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Three minutes later, Mexico drew level. Marcel Ruiz threaded a superb pass to veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who smashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Jimenez celebrated by holding up a shirt with the name and number 20 of his late former Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mate Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal star who died in a car crash in Spain last week. Mexico continued to create better chances for the remainder of the half, with Roberto Alvarado’s low shot forcing another good save from Freese in the 35th minute.

Freese had to be alert again five minutes before half-time, as Mora’s powerful strike was parried away by the USA goalkeeper. Alex Freeman almost put the USA back in front on the stroke of half-time, but his header, following hesitation by goalkeeper Angel Malagon, rebounded off the face of the Mexico stopper.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mexico looking more threatening as the USA struggled to create opportunities. The decisive moment came in the 77th minute, when Johan Vazquez’s flick-on from a free-kick was met by Alvarez, who powered a header into the net past Freese.

Although the goal was initially ruled offside, replays showed Alvarez was clearly onside, and after a check by the Video Assistant Referee, the decision was overturned and the goal stood. Mexico have now won the Gold Cup a record 10 times, three more than the USA, who have seven.

“Obviously we’re disappointed not to come away with a win," USA captain Tim Ream said after the defeat. “We started out really well, and then they obviously got a spell in the game in the second part of the first half. We just missed a little bit of calmness when we won the ball, to try and move them around a little bit," Ream added.

With AFP Inputs

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