A late goal from Edson Álvarez gave Mexico a 2–1 victory over the United States in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium, capping off a fiercely contested clash and handing El Tri back-to-back Gold Cup titles.
The Mexican captain rose to meet a cross in the 77th minute, his header confirmed by VAR after a brief check, breaking a 1–1 deadlock and ultimately sealing the win.
The result marks Mexico’s first victory over the US men’s national team (USMNT) in a tournament final since 2019, ending a run of three successive defeats in such fixtures.
Mexico and the US have traded Gold Cup triumphs since 2011, but Sunday’s win gave the Mexicans a clear edge in recent history, with titles in 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023, and now 2025.
The US, by contrast, lifted the trophy in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
“Overall, we’re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win,” said veteran defender Tim Ream, 37, after the match.
The evening began brightly for the US side under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Defender Chris Richards opened the scoring with a header inside the first four minutes, giving the hosts an early lead in front of a largely pro-Mexico crowd.
But Mexico responded with composure. Forward Raúl Jiménez levelled the match in the 27th minute with a clinical finish, setting up a tight second half.
The match wasn’t without controversy.
In the 67th minute, Mexico’s Jorge Sánchez appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area after falling to the ground. The referee, however, declined to award a penalty, ruling the contact accidental as Sánchez used his hand to brace his fall.
Absent from the US squad were captain Christian Pulisic and several regular starters, who remained with their clubs for the FIFA Club World Cup or opted to rest. That left Pochettino to rely on a younger, less experienced group.
“The truth was that if that happened in the opposite half in their box- for sure a penalty.”
Mauricio Pochettino speaks on the apparent handball that was not called on Mexico in the 66th minute pic.twitter.com/1QLQlOzwXb
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2025
Pochettino, who took charge of the US in September 2024 after managing Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, now has nine wins, one draw and six defeats in his first 16 matches. The Gold Cup final marks his second loss to Mexico.
Despite the result, some analysts remained optimistic. “They got beaten tonight by a better team. That’s OK,” said Alexi Lalas, another former international.
“More importantly, they established the identity that players on the outside looking in — whether Christian Pulisic or anybody — have to adapt to. There’s a long game going on here.”
The USMNT now turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.
