United States 1-2 Mexico: Jimenez and Alvarez strike in Gold Cup final comeback

Mexico came from behind to beat the United States 2-1 in Sunday's Gold Cup final, with Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez scoring for El Tri.

An early header from Chris Richards put the hosts in front at NRG Stadium in Houston, but Jimenez equalised midway through the first half before dedicating his goal to former Wolves team-mate Diogo Jota, following his death in a car crash last week.

Mexico came on strong after levelling, and West Ham's Edson Alvarez stretched to head them in front in the 77th minute, with the goal awarded following a VAR review.

Without a host of big-name players including Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, Mauricio Pochettino's side were unable to respond as El Tri lifted the trophy for a 10th time.

Things had started well for the USA, with Crystal Palace defender Richards meeting Sebastian Berhalter's deep free-kick with a bullet header that struck the crossbar and crossed the goal line by the narrowest of margins.

But Mexico took their first big chance to level in the 27th minute. Marcel Ruiz's wonderful reverse pass found Jimenez inside the area, and he slammed a left-footed finish into the near corner.

Jimenez then celebrated by laying out a Mexico shirt adorned with the name and number 20 of Jota, who passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva in Spain last Thursday, before replicating the gaming celebration performed by the forward at Liverpool.

An Alexander Freeman header was smothered by Luis Malagon on the stroke of half-time, but Mexico were by far the better team after the break, going close through Roberto Alvarado's curler and Jorge Sanchez's header.

Javier Aguirre's team finally led 13 minutes from time, as Alexis Vega's left-wing free-kick was glanced on by Johan Vazquez, allowing Alvarez to find the net with a diving header from inside the six-yard box.

The offside flag initially went up against Alvarez, only for a VAR review to show he had been played onside by Freeman, with the goal awarded to spark wild celebrations.

The USA's only major chance to force extra time fell to Patrick Agyemang in the second of eight minutes of stoppage time, but Malagon smothered his side-footed attempt to get Mexico over the line.

Data Debrief: Deserved triumph for Mexico

Mexico's plans for this tournament encountered far less disruption than those of their neighbours, but the USA made a dream start when Richards joined Landon Donovan (three) and Giovanni Reyna (two) as their third player to net in multiple finals, having also scored in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League showpiece.

However, Mexico immediately set about penning their hosts back, managing 67.3% possession in the 23 minutes in which they trailed, before Jimenez's emotional strike.

At the age of 34 years and 62 days, the Fulham striker became Mexico's second-oldest goalscorer against the USA since 1950, after Rafael Marquez, who netted against them at 35 and 37 years old in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

El Tri always looked the more likely victors at 1-1, with 12 different Mexico players being directly involved in a shot (shot or chance created) in the match, led by Alvarado's five (four shots, one chance created).

Alvarez's header ultimately brought Mexico their record-extending 10th Gold Cup triumph, with the USA stuck on seven. Aguirre, who also led El Tri to the 2009 title, joined Bruce Arena (three) as just the second coach to win the competition more than once.