Gold Cup Final Recap: USA falls to Mexico 2-1

The 2025 Gold Cup has ended. The final was a match between two CONCACAF heavyweights, the USA and Mexico. A great contest saw Mexico triumph 2-1. They won their 10th Gold Cup title, and their sixth over the USA.

USMNT, Gold Cup — Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; United States players look on from the bench after the game against Mexico during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Gold Cup Final Recap

USA 1 – 2 Mexico

The fireworks in this match began before the game, as CONCACAF thought it’d be a good idea to shoot off pyrotechnics in a closed stadium in a hot and humid climate. Through the lingering haze, the USA came out on the front foot. They won a free kick inside the first five minutes, and Sebastian Berhalter whipped a ball into the box that Chris Richards headed an effort just barely over Mexico’s goal line. It was 1-0 USA very early.

The quick US goal woke Mexico up, and they began to play a chippy game. They wouldn’t allow the USA chances to get forward after the first goal, which played into Mexico’s hands as they began attacking down the USA’s left side. Diego Luna, who has been a breakthrough player for the USA, had to play the entire first half as an auxiliary left-wing back to help left-back Max Arfsten. Malik Tilman, another US star at this tournament, was forced to sit deeper in the midfield and not generate attacks. Mexico was down, but the USA’s ability to play their game was taken away.

In the 27th minute, Mexico found its equalizer. Marcel Ruiz found the run of Raul Jeménez, who fired home a strong effort. The stadium in Houston erupted, as there were mainly Mexican fans in attendance at the game. With just about half an hour gone, El Tri looked in control. This was truly shown in the stats from the game. Mexico held 60% of the ball, won the expected goals tally of 1.26, had 16 shots with eight being on target, compared to the USA: 40% of the ball, 0.64 expected goals, six shots, three on target.

Still, it took Mexico most of the game to get ahead of the USA, but they eventually did. They won a free kick in the 77th minute. Alexis Vega put a free kick into the USA box, Johan Vásquez headed the ball across the field, finding the head of Edson Álvarez, who guided the ball past Matt Freese. Mexico took the lead and spent the last 13 minutes suffocating the US’s chances to score. This one ended 2-1 for the overwhelming favorites, Mexico.

Next competitive matches for both nations: The 2026 World Cup!

The 2025 Gold Cup is over, and it was the last chance for the two nations in this final, and Canada, to play competitive matches before next Summer’s World Cup. The USA, Mexico, and Canada will jointly host the 2026 World Cup next June. Now it’s time for those nations to ramp up their preparations for the biggest tournament in world football.

Mexico’s team that won this Gold Cup will be similar to the team we see next summer, whereas this USA team was full of players trying to put themselves in consideration for the World Cup team. Can both of those nations, and Canada with a major chip on its shoulder, do well at the World Cup 2026 next summer?

We’ll have to wait and see, but we know that Mexico’s next competitive game will be Thursday, June 11, 2026, and the USA and Canada’s will be Friday, June 12, 2026! It’s less than a year away from the start of the World Cup 2026!