Mexico got here from behind to beat america 2-1 in Sunday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup closing, with Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez scoring for El Tri.
An early header from Chris Richards put the hosts in entrance at NRG Stadium in Houston, however Jimenez equalised halfway via the primary half earlier than dedicating his aim to former Wolves team-mate Diogo Jota, following his loss of life in a automobile crash final week.
Mexico got here on robust after levelling, and West Ham’s Edson Alvarez stretched to move them in entrance within the 77th minute, with the aim awarded following a VAR evaluate.
And not using a host of big-name gamers together with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, Mauricio Pochettino’s aspect had been unable to reply as El Tri lifted the trophy for a tenth time.
13 – Campeonatos de México en la #CopaOro:
Formato anterior:
– 1965
– 1971
– 1977Formato precise:
– 1993
– 1996
– 1998
– 2003
– 2009
– 2011
– 2015
– 2019
– 2023
– 2025Gigantes. pic.twitter.com/syHhkW03lQ
— OptaJorge (@OptaJorge) July 7, 2025
Issues had began nicely for the USA, with Crystal Palace defender Richards assembly Sebastian Berhalter’s deep free-kick with a bullet header that struck the crossbar and crossed the aim line by the narrowest of margins.
However Mexico took their first massive likelihood to stage within the twenty seventh minute. Marcel Ruiz’s great reverse move discovered Jimenez inside the realm, and he slammed a left-footed end into the close to nook.
Jimenez then celebrated by laying out a Mexico shirt adorned with the identify and quantity 20 of Jota, who handed away alongside his brother Andre Silva in Spain final Thursday, earlier than replicating the gaming celebration carried out by the ahead at Liverpool.
This one’s for you, Diogo.
Raúl equals in Houston.#PorMexicoTodo pic.twitter.com/dsNOSmH6lA
— Mexican Nationwide Crew (@miseleccionmxEN) July 6, 2025
An Alexander Freeman header was smothered by Luis Malagon on the stroke of half-time, however Mexico had been by far the higher workforce after the break, going shut via Roberto Alvarado’s roller and Jorge Sanchez’s header.
Javier Aguirre’s workforce lastly led 13 minutes from time, as Alexis Vega’s left-wing free-kick was glanced on by Johan Vazquez, permitting Alvarez to search out the online with a diving header from contained in the six-yard field.
The offside flag initially went up towards Alvarez, just for a VAR evaluate to point out he had been performed onside by Freeman, with the aim awarded to spark wild celebrations.
The USA’s solely main likelihood to pressure further time fell to Patrick Agyemang within the second of eight minutes of stoppage time, however Malagon smothered his side-footed try to get Mexico over the road.
Information Debrief: Deserved triumph for Mexico
Mexico’s plans for this match encountered far much less disruption than these of their neighbours, however the USA made a dream begin when Richards joined Landon Donovan (three) and Giovanni Reyna (two) as their third participant to web in a number of finals, having additionally scored within the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League showpiece.
Nevertheless, Mexico instantly set about penning their hosts again, managing 67.3% possession within the 23 minutes wherein they trailed, earlier than Jimenez’s emotional strike.
On the age of 34 years and 62 days, the Fulham striker turned Mexico’s second-oldest goalscorer towards the USA since 1950, after Rafael Marquez, who netted towards them at 35 and 37 years previous in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
El Tri all the time regarded the extra seemingly victors at 1-1, with 12 totally different Mexico gamers being immediately concerned in a shot (shot or likelihood created) within the match, led by Alvarado’s 5 (4 pictures, one likelihood created).
Alvarez’s header finally introduced Mexico their record-extending tenth Gold Cup triumph, with the USA caught on seven. Aguirre, who additionally led El Tri to the 2009 title, joined Bruce Enviornment (three) as simply the second coach to win the competitors greater than as soon as.