Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
A header 13 minutes from time from Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez completed a come-from-behind victory for 'El Tri' after a typically hard-fought tussle between the North American arch-rivals and 2026 World Cup co-hosts.
The win was no less than Mexico deserved after dominating for long periods against Mauricio Pochettino's inexperienced USA side, who went into the tournament missing several first-choice regulars.
Alvarez's winner capped a fairytale return to Houston after he had limped off in tears at the same venue during Mexico's opening game 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 got off to a dream start, center-back Chris Richards heading the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of just under 71,000 fans at Houston's NRG Stadium.
Sebastian Berhalter's perfectly flighted curling free-kick from wide on the right sowed panic in the Mexican defence and Crystal Palace defender Richards stooped to glance in a powerful header which cannoned off the underside of the bar and over the line.
But that early effort was to be the USA's best chance of a first half that Mexico controlled, spending most of the opening 45 minutes camped in the host nation's territory.
Mexico's 16-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora threatened to grab an equaliser in the 24th minute but his curling shot was saved by USA goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Three minutes later though Mexico drew level.
Marcel Ruiz threaded a superb pass through to veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
Jimenez celebrated by producing a shirt bearing the name and number 20 of 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 carve out the better chances through the remainder of the half and Roberto Alvarado's low shot forced another good save from Freese in the 35th minute.
Freese needed to be alert again five minutes from half-time, Mora's powerful strike being parried away by the USA goalkeeper as it hurtled towards the top corner.
Alex Freeman almost nodded the USA back in front on the stroke of half-time after pouncing on hesitation by goalkeeper Angel Malagon, but his header cannoned back off the face of the Mexico stopper.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mexico looking much the more threatening side as the USA struggled to create anything at the other end.
The breakthrough finally came though 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.
The goal was chalked off for offside, but replays showed Alvarez was clearly onside, and after a check by the Video Assistant Referee, the on-field 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. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Man Utd cruise over Bournemouth in Premier League US friendly
Washington, July 31, 2025 (AFP) - Manchester United made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament in Chicago on Wednesday. Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim's side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field. United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries, taking the lead after just eight minutes through Hojlund. Dorgu curled in an inviting cross from the left flank and Denmark international team-mate Hojlund timed his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Dorgu then doubled United's lead in the 25th minute, latching on to a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscling his way into the area and sliding a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic. Diallo bundled in United's third in the 53rd minute before Amorim made nine changes with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Williams needed just two minutes to make an impact curling a low finish into the bottom corner to put United 4-0 up. The only blemish on United's performance came with an 88th-minute own goal from Matthijs de Ligt. In Wednesday's other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham came from behind to beat former manager David Moyes's Everton 2-1. Idrissa Gueye put Everton 1-0 up after 17 minutes before West Ham recovered to equalise through Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug's 64th-minute strike sealed the Hammers' win. The result was another disappointing pre-season setback for Everton, who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday. "I'm not overly concerned because I don't have the players which I need and what I want," Everton boss Moyes said afterward. "We knew before we came (to the US) we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning." "At the moment we're not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we're not ready to start the Premier League season." The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday, with United facing Everton and West Ham taking on Bournemouth.--AFP
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Pakistani rescuers' quest for injured German climber continues
A German mountaineer and Olympic gold medallist who was injured while attempting to scale a peak in the country's north is stranded on the mountain and search teams were forced to abort efforts to reach her after sunset, officials said. Laura Dahlmeier, who also won the 2017 women's biathlon World Cup, was seriously injured on Monday while attempting to scale Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. Another rescue attempt was underway with the help of helicopters, which was planned for after dawn today, according to Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan regional government. He could not provide further details on Dahlmeier's condition. Dahlmeier, 31, and her rope partner, Marina Eva, were struck by falling rocks during their ascent, Faraq said. Eva managed to descend to base camp with help from rescuers yesterday. In Germany, Dahlmeier's management told the broadcaster ZDF that she was seriously injured in the rockfall at an altitude of about 5,700m around noon on Monday. 'Due to the remoteness of the area, a helicopter was only able to reach the site of the accident on the morning of July 29,' the statement said, expressing hope that news of her rescue would follow soon. The German news agency dpa said Dahlmeier and Eva were climbing in alpine style when the accident occurred. Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Pakistan Alpine Club, said that Dahlmeier sustained 'serious injuries' and that Pakistani military helicopters were helping in coordinated rescue efforts, which started on Monday. 'Efforts to evacuate Dahlmeier by air will continue,' Haidri said. Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches. Pakistan's scenic north has also been struck with flash floods and landslides following above normal seasonal rains. At least 20 tourists are still missing after they were swept away by floodwaters last week near the northern Chilas district. — AP
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Fernandes double as Man Utd sink West Ham in Premier League US friendly
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in action during the match. (EPA Images pic) NEW YORK : Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their tour of the US with a 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series tournament in New Jersey on Saturday. United skipper Fernandes punished two blunders by West Ham's France international goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to seal victory for Ruben Amorim's side in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium. Areola was at fault for both of United's goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 13-time Premier League champions. Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, calmly sending Areola the wrong way after the Frenchman had needlessly shoved Ayden Heaven to the ground after losing possession. Fernandes doubled United's lead in the 52nd minute with a clever finish after another howler from Areola, whose sloppy pass out from the back went straight to United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on the edge of the area. Mainoo slipped a pass to Fernandes, who then coolly lifted a finish over the stranded Areola to put United in control. Bowen's clever finish in the 63rd minute reduced the deficit, and the England forward forced a good save from Altay Bayindir in injury time, but United held on. 'It's good to win, even being a friendly – we want to get every game to prepare ourselves in the best way and obviously go into the season in a positive way,' Fernandes told NBC Sports after the victory. 'Overall the game was good, we were very good on the ball. In some moments we could have done longer possessions and we rushed it a little bit. We have to work on that… but I think overall it was a very good game for us.' United's new US$87 million signing Bryan Mbeumo travelled with the team to the US but did not feature in the matchday squad. Mbeumo could make his debut when United face Bournemouth in the second round of fixtures in the four-team tournament in Chicago on Wednesday. Bournemouth, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in their opener earlier on Saturday at the same venue. Goals from Philip Billing, Dango Outtara and Daniel Adu-Adjei sealed a comfortable win for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth side After a low-key first half, Billing fired Bournemouth into the lead in the 55th minute, gliding away from his marker at the edge of the area before unleashing a ferocious shot that flew past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. England international Pickford was beaten again four minutes later after a move that began when Outtara surged clear down the left flank. Everton defender Nathan Patterson looked to have covered the danger, but a poor touch allowed Burkina Faso international Outtara to hammer a shot high into the net past Pickford's near post. Adu-Adjei made it 3-0 to the Cherries in the 69th minute, pouncing on an underhit backpass from Jake O'Brien to coolly finish past Pickford.
