Christian Pulisic fires USA past Mexico in Concacaf decider 🏆 | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic and Ethan Horvath combined to see the USA crowned the inaugural Concacaf Nations League champions after extra time in a controversial encounter in Denver on Sunday.

Scorers: Reyna 27′, McKennie 82′, Pulisic 114′ PEN; Corona 2′, Lainez 79′

It was El Tri got off to a dream start with a goal with barely a minute on the clock.

Porto winger Jesús Corona took advantage of complacency in the USA defence to rifle a shot past the helpless Zack Steffen.

Hector Moreno thought he had doubled Mexico’s lead in the 26th minute only for a VAR review to correctly rule his header out for offside.

The Stars and Stripes reacted by levelling matters moments later.

Pulisic’s corner was headed onto the upright by Weston McKennie and Giovani Reyna was on hand to slot home the rebound from close range.

Mexico took the lead again with 11 minutes remaining when Diego Lainez made an instant impact off the bench by firing past fellow substitute Horvath (who had replaced the injured Steffen) in the American net.

But the USA equalised just two minutes later when McKennie rose to meet Reyna’s corner with a powerful downward header.

It was a dubious VAR decision that saw Pulisic awarded a penalty, with Carlos Salcedo making clear contact with the ball as the Chelsea man went down in the area.

Amazingly Mexico were also awarded a spot kick via VAR late on, but Andrés Guardado had his effort brilliantly repelled by Horvath.