The USA vs Mexico Result USMNT Wins Gold Cup on a Dramatic Extra Time Goal. The United States men’s national team overcame Mexico 1-0 in the 117th minute to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in dramatic fashion in Las Vegas on Sunday, the second time this summer that the Americans defeated their rivals in a continental final.
Miles Robinson scored the game-winning goal, getting on the end of a Kellyn Acosta free-kick at the top of the six-yard box and heading a ball past goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera to silence an overwhelmingly pro-Mexico crowd and give the Americans an emotional triumph.
It was the second time this summer that the United States and Mexico went to extra time in a final. The United States also won the first CONCACAF Nations League in June, defeating El Tri 3-2.
Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the United States, brought his strongest group to the Nations League but sent a youthful, mainly untested side to the Gold Cup. Only three of the USMNT’s starting took the field in the Nations League final on Sunday. Mexico, on the other hand, brought a similar group to the Gold Cup, with eight of them starting in Sunday’s final having played in the crucial Nations League encounter earlier this summer.
The Americans began Sunday’s game as big underdogs due to the relative quality of the rosters. For extended stretches, the game unfolded as expected. For the opening 70 minutes, Mexico dominated possession and spent significant time in the United States’ defensive third. However, this did not result in an advantage in chances, as the United States created several solid opportunities throughout.
Winger Paul Arriola had a chance to put the US ahead in the 26th minute. Midfielder Sebastian Lletget set up the opportunity by squaring the ball to a wide-open Arriola on the right side of the box, setting him up for a one-on-one with Talavera, but D.C. United attacker’s 15-yard effort sailed off the outside of the right post.
Mexico’s striker Rogelio Funes Mori had a chance in the 31st minute. He got on the end of a Jesus Gallardo header just inside the box, then popped the ball up and over United States center back James Sands, releasing himself for a close-range attempt from a tight angle that deflected off United States goalkeeper Matt Turner and out of danger.
To begin the second half, Mexico ratcheted up the pressure. El Tri could have taken the lead in the 50th and 52nd minutes, but winger Orbelin Pineda dragged a 10-yard effort wide of the left post. He had an even better chance two minutes later, getting on the end of a Chaka Rodriguez cross at the right post barely five yards from goal, but his soaring right-footed volley was far off target.
USA vs Mexico: The United States answered effectively, retaliating with a trio of excellent chances beginning in the 69th minute. Arriola produced the first chance, stripping Carlos Salcedo near the top of the box and swiftly finding Hoppe, who unleashed a shot that appeared to be headed for the back of the net before being diverted out just five yards from goal by a Mexico defender. On the 71st minute, Hoppe got on the end of a cross in the left side of the box, turned past a defender, and fired a close-range effort that rebounded off Alvarez and out for a corner.
In the 74th minute, Talavera produced an amazing move to deny Arriola. Acosta curled in a beautiful free-kick from the left side that ricocheted off striker Gyasi Zardes at the top of the six-yard box and was diverted into the path of an onrushing Arriola on the left side of the box. He blasted a shot on goal from close range but was stopped by Talavera, who jumped in front of Arriola’s effort and blocked it with his back.
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