July 7, 2025: In a thrilling Gold Cup final, Mexico edged past the United States 2-1 on Sunday, clinching their 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title — making them the undisputed kings of North and Central American football.
The match, played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, witnessed over 70,000 passionate fans, making it one of the most electrifying encounters before next year’s FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Right from the kickoff, it was a high-voltage contest. The USA took an early 1-0 lead in just the 4th minute, thanks to a brilliant header from Chris Richards. The goal came off a well-placed free kick by Sebastian Berhalter, and the ball crashed in off the crossbar — leaving the Mexican defense stunned.
But the lead didn’t last long.
As the match settled, Mexico began to dominate possession, keeping the American defense on their toes. In the 27th minute, Raúl Jiménez, a key figure in Mexico’s attack, levelled the score 1-1. He smartly received a pass from Marcel Ruíz and smashed it past American goalkeeper Matthew Freese, sending Mexican fans into a frenzy.
Jiménez then paid tribute to his late former teammate Diogo Jota, celebrating with Jota’s jersey in hand — a moment that touched hearts worldwide.
The second half was intense, with both teams creating close chances. But it was Mexico who eventually broke the deadlock in the 77th minute through a clever set-piece. A free kick bounced off Johan Vásquez’s head, and Edson Álvarez dived to guide it home — putting Mexico ahead 2-1.
Though the linesman initially flagged it for offside, a quick VAR check confirmed the goal — sparking wild celebrations in the Mexican camp.
The USA came extremely close to equalizing in the dying moments, but a spectacular save by Mexican goalkeeper Ángel Malagón denied Patrick Agyemang a goal. With that save, and some solid defending, Mexico held on till the final whistle by referee Mario Escobar.
This win gives Mexico a 6-2 advantage over the USA in Gold Cup finals and solidifies their top position with 10 Gold Cup trophies, ahead of the USA’s 7 titles.
The loss will be a learning moment for new USA manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has less than a year to prepare for the World Cup 2026. The team was missing several key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Sergiño Dest — all absent due to club commitments or injuries.
The US will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while Mexico opens the tournament a day earlier at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
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