Mexico beat US to win 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title
HOUSTON: Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday to successfully defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup crown and capture their 10th title in a pulsating final that delivered drama from start to finish. The US went ahead just four minutes in when Sebastian Berhalter's free-kick found Chris Richards, whose powerful header struck the underside of the crossbar and cannoned straight down, with the referee confirming the goal was good.
Mexico found the equalizer through Raul Jimenez in the 27th minute after the striker converted from close range. He then dedicated the goal to the late Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate, by holding up a Mexico shirt with the Portuguese forward's name on it. 'We came from behind and are leaving with the title,' Jimenez said. 'It's great and really important to clinch the crown a summer before the World Cup. It's something we've been trying to do since the tournament began.'
Despite Mexico's first-half dominance they struggled to capitalize on numerous golden opportunities. Roberto Alvarado and 16-year-old Gilberto Mora both tested US goalkeeper Matt Freese, with Mora's venomous long-range effort requiring a crucial save from the American shot-stopper. The US created chances through the slick combination play of Malik Tillman and Berhalter but could not breach Mexico's resolute defence again.
Alex Freeman came closest when his header struck Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon in the face and Diego Luna blazed the rebound over the crossbar. Mexico cranked up the pressure after the break and got the crucial second goal when Edson Alvarez powered home a header, though there was a nervous wait due to a VAR review for potential offside. However, the goal stood and the Mexican contingent erupted with wild celebrations. 'I'm speechless. We spent 35 days in intense training, away from our families, with the intention of winning. There's certainly room for improvement, but we're leaving happy and with our feet firmly on the ground,' midfielder Alvarez said. 'When they first disallowed the goal, it was crazy. It threw me off balance, but I was really happy to see that it was valid.'
Patrick Agyemang had the chance to equalize in the dying minutes but his finish just missed the mark in a tense finale as Mexico held firm to secure their triumph. Mexico's victory secures back-to-back Gold Cup triumphs and brings them a record-extending 10th crown. Mexico also won the CONCACAF Nations Championship, the Gold Cup's predecessor, three times.
'Massive lesson'
Although the US came up short, it will take valuable lessons from the tournament as they build towards next year's World Cup, coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Pochettino told reporters that while it had been a painful night for his side the tournament had been excellent preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Mexico and Canada. 'It was a massive lesson for us. It was an amazing tournament to realize in the way that we wanted to grow,' he added.
'This is the way that I think we are going to find the way to compete better and better, and be very competitive and be in the place that we wanted to be. 'When you lose a trophy or you lose a game it's really, really painful. But the most important thing is to have our head up because I think the tournament was fantastic and we keep going, that is the way we want to build our journey into the World Cup.'
The US reached the final despite missing several key players, with Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah controversially opting out while Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah were unable to play due to Club World Cup obligations. However, Pochettino did not want to discuss the impact the absences had. 'I think the roster that we build is the roster that deserved to be here, and I think now is not the point to talk about the player that should be here or not,' he said. The US will next host South Korea and Japan in friendly matches in September. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
6 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Trump met with boos, cheers at FIFA Club World Cup final
US president hails Pele as football GOAT EAST RUTHERFORD: US President Donald Trump paid homage to football great Pele after being met with boos and cheers from the crowd at the Club World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Chelsea walloped Paris St Germain 3-0 to close out the newly expanded version of the tournament, designed as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup that the US will co-host with Mexico and Canada. Trump was seated next to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino in box seats at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where fans booed him when he appeared briefly on the jumbotron during the US national anthem. He was on his feet in the same VIP suite after Chelsea completed their thrashing of Paris St Germain, pumping his fist as congratulatory music blared. Trump was met with boos from the crowd again as he posed with the match referees on the pitch during the trophy ceremony, as organizers kept the music pumping in the stadium. He handed Chelsea their trophy and stood in the middle of the players for their team photo and celebration. 'I knew he was going to be there but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy so I was a bit confused,' said Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer, who scored two goals during the match. Chelsea's English defender Reece James lifts the trophy with teammates and US President Donald Trump. Asked in a TV interview who he believed was football's 'GOAT,' Trump named Brazilian icon Pele, who helped spark interest in the sport in the US in his brief time playing for the New York Cosmos in the fledgling North American Soccer League in 1975. 'I came to watch Pele, and he was fantastic,' Trump told broadcaster DAZN. 'That's like saying Babe Ruth, but I would say Pele was so great.' The Republican's appearance at the game also came on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt that he survived at an election rally in Pennsylvania. Trump has made no secret of his desire to use this year's club championship and next year's 2026 World Cup as symbols of the 'Golden Age of America' during his second term in the White House. Next year's World Cup, the final of which will be held at the same stadium, will coincide with the 250th anniversary of America's independence. Trump has even set up a White House task force to ensure next year's championship — hosted jointly with Canada and Mexico — goes smoothly. 'He loves it' Trump has fostered a close relationship with Infantino, who has been a frequent visitor to the White House. The president has kept the Club World Cup trophy next to his desk in the Oval Office since the FIFA president dropped by in March. Infantino, who is no stranger to dealing with hard-nosed world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin ahead of the 2018 World Cup, thanked Trump for his support on Saturday. He said Trump had 'embraced immediately the importance of the FIFA Club World Cup, and of course of the World Cup next year.' Infantino also joked that Trump 'certainly loves as well the trophy' — whose gold-plated curves match the gilded makeover that the president has given the Oval Office. But Trump's fondness of football, or soccer as he would say, is also personal. The president's 19-year-old son Barron is a fan, as Infantino pointed out in a press conference at FIFA's new office in Trump Tower in New York on Saturday. Asked if Trump liked the game, Infantino replied: 'Well I think he does. In his first term as president of the United States, there was a soccer goal in the garden of the White House. 'He then explained to me that his son loved football, and that he loved the game. And of course when you are a parent, you love what your children love, so I think that he loves it.' As a boarding school student at the New York Military Academy, Trump himself also reportedly played the game for a season. 'Go home' But in typical form, Trump has also mixed political controversy with his football fandom. Hosting Italian side Juventus in the Oval Office in June, he delivered a diatribe on transgender people in sports before asking the players: 'Could a woman make your team, fellas?' Most of the players looked bemused before Juventus general manager Damien Comolli replied: 'We have a very good women's team.' 'He's being very diplomatic,' said Trump. Trump's hardline immigration crackdown — part of his 'America First' policy — has meanwhile sparked fears that football fans will be discouraged from coming to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. In May, Vice President JD Vance said that fans would be 'welcome to come ... but when the time is up, they will have to go home.' — Agencies
Arab Times
15 hours ago
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi and Yarmouk launch preseason training for the new campaign
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Al-Arabi and Al-Yarmouk are set to kick off their training sessions this evening as they begin preparations for the new season. Al-Arabi, under the leadership of newly appointed Portuguese coach Marco Alves, will begin its training ahead of a busy preseason. Alves replaces Nasser Al-Shatti, who has taken charge of Al-Salmiya for the upcoming season. The Green Falcons will train locally before departing on July 25 for a 12-day training camp in the UAE, where they are scheduled to play three friendly matches. Following the UAE camp, Al-Arabi will head to the Maldives to face Maziya Sports & Recreation Club in the AFC Challenge League play-off on August 12—a pivotal match that will determine which team progresses to the group stage. Meanwhile, Al-Yarmouk, now under the guidance of Dhaher Al-Adwani, will begin training at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium in preparation for the Zain First Division League, set to begin on September 14. After being relegated from the Premier League last season, Al-Yarmouk is focused on a strong comeback through structured preparation and squad reinforcements. The club has already strengthened its roster with a mix of international and local signings, including Tunisian Hazem Haj Hassan, Malian Moriba Dialli, Ghanaian Robin Akwa, and Congolese Losoko, along with Othman Al-Dosari, a former Al-Salmiya player. The club is also in negotiations with several other targets to complete its lineup. Al-Yarmouk is planning an overseas training camp in August, which will feature a series of friendly matches to fine-tune the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Trump is attending the FIFA Club World Cup final
WASHINGTON, July 13, (AP): President Donald Trump on Sunday will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final, a match that will offer Trump a preview of the globe's premier soccer tournament that North America will host next year. Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel from their golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to East Rutherford 40 miles (64 kilometers) away to watch the final match of the U.S.-hosted tournament between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium. Trump's trip Sunday falls on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, while campaigning for president. The president did not have any public plans to mark the date beyond participating in a taped Fox News Channel interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump that aired Saturday night. Sporting events have made up the bulk of Trump's trips in the U.S. since taking office this year. In addition to his visit this weekend to the soccer tournament, he's attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia. The president, who has a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has said he plans to attend multiple matches of the World Cup tournament next year.
