USMNT 1-2 Mexico: El Tri come back to defend Gold Cup crown

NBC Sports

6 hours ago

Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez scored to answer Chris Richards' early goal, as Mexico came back to beat the United States men's national team 2-1 to defend their Gold Cup crown.
MORE — USMNT vs Mexico player ratings
It was the eighth time these two rivals met in the final, and the sixth time that El Tri came out on top of their northern neighbors.
Mexico become the first team to win 10 Gold Cups.
More to come...
How to watch USMNT vs Mexico live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7 pm ET, Sunday
How to watch: Fox, TUDN
Stream online: FOXSports.com or the FOX Sports app
USMNT vs Mexico live updates — by Nick Mendola
USMNT vs Mexico final score: 1-2
Chris Richards 4', Raul Jimenez 27', Edson Alvarez 75'
Full time — Mexico are Gold Cup champions
They earned it.
Seven minutes stoppage
Last chance to dance.
Subs for both
Santiago Gimenez, Israel Reyes, and Cesar Huerta enter for Mexico, as Raul Jimenez, Jorge Sanchez, and Roberto Alvarado.
The U.S. had just removed Adams for Jack McGlynn, and now Brenden Aaronson and John Tolkin enter for Diego Luna and Max Arfsten.
Edson Alvarez goal — USMNT 1-2 Mexico (75th minute)
He was onside. VAR has taken another look and the West Ham man held his position to nod home.
Mexico celebrates after the go-ahead goal by Edson Álvarez is given 🇲🇽👏 pic.twitter.com/m6KLCo0Cbj
Mexico offside goal
Edson Alvarez turns a header inside Freese's goal but the flag is up.
This will be very close.
Stat of the game so far
Mexico have the top eight players in this game when it comes to touches, from leader Johan Vasquez (80) down to Alexis Vega (54) before a USMNT name appears (Tyler Adams, 47).
It's then 72nd minute.
First USMNT sub
It's pro-attack, as young striker Damion Downs takes the place of midfielder Luca de la Torre in the 70th minute.
Good from the U.S.
Max Arfsten nearly curls in from just outside the 18 at the end of the Yanks' best team move in some time.
We're into the 55th minute now and there's reason for real positivity.
Halftime — USMNT 1-1 Mexico
Shots are 7-2 for Mexico, but the two USMNT shots were pretty decent danger.
That said, El Tri have controlled the ball and the game.
Pochettino has a chance to further strengthen his name by turning this around with a tweak or two.
Chaos in the Mexico box
This has been a very pro-Mexico half but the Yanks really found danger on the edge of stoppage time.
A flurry of flash points finish with Diego Luna snapping a shot over the goal.
Raul Jimenez tribute to Diogo Jota (video)
Raúl Jiménez honors Diogo Jota after his goal for Mexico ❤️🎮
The two were teammates at Wolverhampton 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0FQz0uY6Uf
Raul Jimenez goal — USMNT 1-1 Mexico (27th minute)
And Mexico are level through their Fulham striker, who pays tribute to his former Wolves teammate Diogo Jota with a video game celebration.
Jimenez just beats Tim Ream to a through ball, and his shot takes a slight turn off Ream's shin and fires into the roof of the goal.
RAUL JIMENEZ LEVELS THE SCORE FOR MEXICO 🇲🇽
GAME. ON. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6sIe0ZDL5G
El Tri phenom showing well
Gilberto Mora, just 16, is showing well for Mexico.
He forces a save out of Matt Freese, and has already ripped off a pair of shot attempts.
El Tri really stamping authority on the game from a trailing position. The Yanks need to re-establish a foothold.
Some atmosphere
The early USMNT goal has only served to amp up the atmosphere.
Mexico is pushing for chances and really getting stuck into loose ball challenges.
El Tri want a penalty for a collision just inside the box but there's nothing there.
Chris Richards goal (video) — USMNT 1-0 Mexico (fourth minute)
Moving pieces here.
Patrick Agyemang is fouled and Malik Tillman holds up his attack. That means a free kick instead of advantage, and the decision feels perfect after what follows for the USMNT.
Sebastian Berhalter swings a free kick into the 18 and Chris Richards gets the side of his head on it. The ball spins off the bottom of the cross bar and over the goal line!
Terrific start!
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS TOURNEY...
SEBASTIAN BERHALTER WITH THE SET PIECE DELIVERY
CHRIS RICHARDS SENDS IT HOMEpic.twitter.com/1eb2NrdAcp
Here we go!
Kickoff is moments away, with the USMNT in white tops with royal blue shorts while El Tri are in black uniforms with gold accents.
No alarms, no surprises
It's very clear that Pochettino's preferred XI is this, as he's named an unchanged unit for the third-straight game.
USMNT lineup
Freese, Arfsten, Ream, Richards, Freeman, Adams, De la Torre, Berhalter, Tillman, Luna, Agyemang
Mexico lineup
Malagon, Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo, Ruiz, Alvarez, Alvarado, Mora, Vega, Jimenez
USMNT vs Mexico in Gold Cup Final preview — by Andy Edwards
USMNT focus, team news
Diego Luna has used this Gold Cup as his personal playground and breakout moment with three goals, including both in the USMNT's 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the semifinals, and two assists through five games. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake star has been flanked in midfield, and frequently on the scoresheet, by Malik Tillman (three goals and two assists of his own) to form a dangerous one-two punch that can make a real case for a place in the starting XI next summer when the 2026 World Cup is played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But can they deliver once more, against the best that CONCACAF has to offer, in perhaps the biggest game of their young careers?
Mexico focus, team news
The Gold Cup would be Mexico's second trophy of 2025 after Javier Aguirre's side won the 2024-25 Nations League back in March. Raul Jimenez has scored twice this tournament, including the game's only goal to beat Honduras and book Mexico's place in the final. Center back Cesar Montes scored three goals during the group stage and played all 90 minutes to secure the clean sheet against Honduras.
USMNT vs Mexico prediction
A cagey affair, as finals often are. Three of the eight finals finished 1-0, including each of the last two (2019 and 2021). A first trophy for Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT boss. USA 1-0 Mexico.