Latest news with #EdsonAlvarez
Daily Tribune
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 to retain the CONCACAF Gold Cup and lift the title for a record-extending 10th time on Sunday. A 77th-minute header from Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez completed a come-from-behind victory after a typically hardfought 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 got off to a dream start when center-back Chris Richards headed the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of just under 71,000 fans at NRG Stadium.
Observer
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Mexico defeat USA to retain Gold Cup title
HOUSTON: Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 to retain the CONCACAF Gold Cup and lift the title for a record-extending 10th time on Sunday. 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. US defender Tim Ream (13), Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez (4) and Mexico goalkeeper Angel Malagon (1) pose with the fair play, best player, and best goalkeeper awards. — Reuters JOTA TRIBUTE 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
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
USMNT soccer fans convinced Gold Cup final was 'rigged' for Mexico after 'scandalous' referee decision
Fans of the USMNT were left in disbelief after officials waved away a handball appeal during their Gold Cup defeat. On Sunday night, Mauricio Pochettino 's side were brushed aside by Mexico after a late goal from midfielder Edson Alvarez secured a historic 2-1 win. Things could have been very different, however, after the USMNT thought that they would be awarded a spot-kick while the score was still level. In the 66th minute - with the score tied at 1-1 - full-back Max Arfsten attempted to break through the Mexico defense but was prevented by Jorge Sanchez. However, after winning the ball, Sanchez lost his footing and blatantly put his hand on the ball in order to regain his balance. Despite the clear infringement, referee Mario Escobar waved play on and, in the end, Mexico went on to snatch the win and the title itself. Reminder that no handball was given for this. — USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 7, 2025 Footage showed USMNT manager Pochettino fuming with officials and pleading for an explanation as to why they were not awarded a penalty. The former Tottenham boss, later, made his feelings clear in his post-match press conference. He said: 'I'm not going to cry. I want to tell the truth. 'And the truth is if that happened in the opposite half, in the other box, for sure it's a penalty'. Fans on social media echoed the thoughts of Pochettino as they insisted that the match had been 'rigged' in Mexico's favor. One user wrote: 'No mention of the obvious penalty?! The uncalled fouls on Agyemang? Come on man! The ref needs to be investigated. 'This game was rigged!! If you're a reporter, you must report everything and cut off the pride and smile stuff. Of course USA was the better team!!' Another wrote: 'VAR on Mexico's game winning goal but not for this hilarious handball? Oh ok. S*** is so rigged'. On the night, Mexico striker Raul Jimenez paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after scoring. Fans were quick to claim that the Gold Cup had been rigged in Mexico's favour Jimenez drew Mexico level in the 27th minute on Sunday night after Chris Richards had fired the USMNT ahead after just four minutes. In the end Edson Alvarez proved the hero for El Tri at NRG Stadium in Texas when he popped up with the game-winning goal 13 minutes from time. Jota, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, and his younger brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car accident close to the Portuguese border in northwestern Spain early Thursday morning. Jimenez who played alongside Jota for two years at Wolves before the latter's move to Liverpool in 2020, marked his equalizing strike by sitting on the turf and recreating Diogo's trademark gaming celebration alongside a special No 20 jersey with his name on.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Mauricio Pochettino fumes at ‘embarrassing' penalty decision in USA's Gold Cup final loss
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino has fumed over a a refereeing call that went against his team in their Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico. It looked a routine penalty call when Mexico defender Jorge Sanchez handled the ball inside his own penalty area with less than half an hour to go but the referee, Mario Escobar, thought otherwise. The United States went on to lose 2-1 to their closest rivals and Pochettino blasted the decision. "For me, it was embarrassing to see that situation,' the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager said. 'I understand that maybe with 70,000 people [in attendance], giving this penalty is not easy. '[But if it was given] maybe it's 2-1 for us, and maybe we now are celebrating with the trophy.' The United States had gone ahead early in Houston when defender Chris Richards' fourth minute header went past Mexican goalkeeper Luis Malagon and in off the underside of the crossbar. Mexico striker Raul Jimenez restored parity before the end of the first half. Then came the controversial non-penalty decision, after which the Mexico captain, Edson Alvarez, scored the winner. "I want to tell the truth," said Pochettino during his post-match press conference. "And the truth was that if that happened in the other box, for sure it's a penalty. The player [had] a knee on the floor. He pushed the hand over the ball. It's not that the hand was on the floor and the ball touched [Sanchez]. "If we lose, we lose. No problem. I am the first to say we need to improve. I am not crying. I'm not saying nothing against Mexico, nothing. I respect Mexico, full respect. And I congratulate them." United States skipper Tyler Adams agreed with his manager: "To me it looked like a handball. I mean, when you land on the ball and move the ball towards you, it's going to be a handball normally."
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Mexico beat US 2-1 to win record 10th Concacaf Gold Cup
HOUSTON, July 7 — Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 to retain the Concacaf Gold Cup and lift the title for a record-extending 10th time yesterday. A 77th-minute header from Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez completed a come-from-behind victory 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 got off to a dream start when center-back Chris Richards headed the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of just under 71,000 fans at NRG Stadium. Sebastian Berhalter's perfectly flighted free-kick sowed panic in the Mexican defence and Crystal Palace defender Richards stooped for a powerful header which cannoned off the underside of the bar and over the line. That early effort was to be the USA's best chance of a first half that Mexico controlled for the most part. 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 Mexico drew level. Marcel Ruiz threaded a superb pass to veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Jota tribute 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. 'He was a great team-mate during my two years at Wolves,' Jimenez explained afterwards. 'We kept in touch often, we shared wonderful moments and times there, playing key roles in Wolves achievements during that period. 'It's really tough to hear news about someone so close to you who was a great friend.' Mexico continued to carve out the better chances and Roberto Alvarado's low shot forced another good save from Freese in the 35th minute. The goalkeeper needed to be alert again five minutes later, parrying away Mora's powerful strike 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 13 minutes from time, when Johan Vazquez's flick-on from a free-kick was met by Alvarez who powered a header into the net. The goal was flagged offside, but replays showed Alvarez was clearly onside and VAR overturned the decision to give Mexico a record 10th Gold Cup, three more than the USA. 'Obviously we're disappointed not to come away with a win,' said USA captain Tim Ream. '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.' — AFP
