Edson Alvarez goal gives Mexico 2025 Gold Cup title
(image via Omar Duran)
A sold out crowd at Houston’s NRG Stadium were on hand for Sunday evening’s Concacaf Gold Cup Final between the United States and Mexico. The two rivals met once again, this time with the continental trophy on the line.
It was the United States, in front of a pro-crowd in Houston, that got the match off to a great start. A free kick just four minutes in was fired into the box by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. Center back Chris Richards rose to power his header toward goal. The ball hit the crossbar and came down, just over the goal line to give the Americans a 1-0 lead.
Mexico didn’t let the early goal bother them too much and they found an equalizer in the 27th minute. Marcel Ruiz played a wonderful ball through to the ongoing Raul Jimenez. The Mexican striker got to the ball ahead of US defender Tim Ream and thumped his shot in past Matt Freese at the near post. Jimenez celebrated the goal with a custom Mexico Diogo Jota and the Liverpool striker’s custom celebration. The two were teammates together at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The second half saw Mexico begin to take hold of the game. The United States, however, had a shout for a penalty kick in the 67th minute. Defender Jorge Sanchez put his hand down to balance himself, on top of the ball, but not penalty was given.
Mexico got the cup-winning goal in the 77th minute. A free kick from the left side was put into the box and Johan Vasquez flicked it on, with his head, toward goal. Edson Alvarez got his head to the ball first and beat Freese to put Mexico ahead 2-1. The assistant referee put his flag up for offside to call the goal off but, after a short VAR review, Alvarez was onside and the goal was given.
An equalizer would not materialize for the United States and the final whistle blew in Houston, making Mexico the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup champion. Houston showed out with a crowd of over 70,000. The FIFA World Cup will next be at NRG, next summer, in what is to be an even bigger celebration of soccer.
