Mexico beat the United States in the Gold Cup final while Pochettino decreases the “embarrassing” penalty without appeal | USA

Mexico won the country’s 10th title of the Cup of the country, successfully defending the trophy they won in 2023 with a 2-1 victory against the United States in front of a hoarse and pro-Mexican crowd in Houston, Texas on Sunday.

West Ham Edson Álvarez midfielder scored the decisive goal in the second half, returning home the winner after the ball deflected John Vásquez’s head. Álvarez’s objective was initially excluded for offside, but Var intervened and determined that it was level with the last defender of the time that Vásquez contacted, triggering jubilant celebrations on the ground and in the stands.

He also triggered an argument on the touch of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was exasperated that a penalty had not been granted to the other end 10 minutes earlier. In this game, the defender of Mexico Jorge Sánchez put his hand on the ball while falling after having made a tackle on Max Arfstten’s race in the penalty area.

“It is sure that it is a penalty … He pushed his hand on the ball,” Pochettino told journalists afterwards. “It’s not that the hand was on the ground and the ball touched.”

Pochettino also insinuated that civil servants were influenced by the pro-Mexico crowd.

“The truth is that if it happened in the opposite half, in the other box, it is certain that it is a penalty,” he said. “Perhaps it’s 2-1 for us and maybe we celebrate the trophy. I think it’s clear. It is not about to cry, it’s not about to complain, it’s not about to excuse … For me, it was annoying to see this situation and it is a shame. Because I understand that with 70,000 people, to give this penalty is not easy.”

For the United States, the loss puts an end to an uneven month, because a group of players resolutely second choice first looked below the standard for friendly losses against Turkey and Switzerland, then played better once the Gold Cup started and has grown throughout the tournament.

The team asked some players to plead in terms of inclusion on the alignment of next year’s World Cup – namely the Malik Tillman and Diego Luna fields – while others like defender Chris Richards have effectively entered leadership roles. However, the loss will be considered a disappointment, because it is the final competitive match of the United States before launching the 2026 World Cup at home.

In truth, the result was not as close as the score made it appear. Mexico took 16 shots (eight on the target) at the six and three of the United States. El Tri held the possession of 60% of the time and has saved 12 corners while holding the United States zero from them.

Richards opened the scoring very early with a head on a room that seemed to catch everyone, including the United States, by surprise. Richards’ header came after the defender of Crystal Palace sank between the defenders of Mexico and redirected the play of Set Sebastian Berhalter with a movement up. The ball turned from the crossbar and rebounded on the lawn – on the line, in the estimate of the assistant referee and the Var.

The United States had the advantage and the momentum. They would pass the vast majority of the rest of the match hang on to expensive life.

Mexico responded by cutting pressure on the United States, confronting attacks on physical challenges that only won calls for fault. The United States, whose only entry into the penalty surface of Mexico early came at the start of their goal, could hardly get out of their own half.

The pressure borne fruit for Mexico in the 27th minute, when Raúl Jiménez allowed the equalizer of a good finish after a complete defensive ventilation of the United States. From a tight angle in the penalty zone and with Tim Ream approaching quickly, the Fulham striker did well to launch a spicy strike before Matt Freese and in the roof of the net to do things 1-1. Jiménez’s celebrations were tinged with tribute, while the attacker produced a jersey with the name of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool striker who was tragically killed with his brother in a car accident last week. Jiménez and Jota were Wolves teammates from 2018 to 2020, and with the jersey placed in front of him, Jiménez sat on the field and mimed by playing a video game – one of Jota’s signature celebrations.

The pressure continued for Mexico, as is the wholesale domination of possession. “Olé” sounded through the crowd in the 30th minute while El sorting pulverized passes. In the few cases where the United States was able to go out on the break, the combination of Patrick Agyemang and Malik Tillman was without synchronization.

The United States had a glimmer of hope at the end of the first half-a chaotic sequence just before the whistle at halftime in which Alex Freeman, Alex Freeman, arrived at the end of a long ball and won a head on goal, but managed to strike the face of the goalkeeper of Mexico, Luis Malagón. The first half ended with Mexico holding an advantage of 5-0 in corner kicks, an advantage of 10-2 in interceptions and 298 assists in the United States 162.

This trend continued in the second stanza. Roberto Alvarado missed a close chance at the nearby post in the 51st minute, then again in the 56th. In the 76th minute, Mexico pierced.