Jiménez, Álvarez lead Mexico to tenth Gold Cup trophy | OneFootball

HOUSTON — Mexico earned a 2-1 victory against the United States in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final on Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, USA.

The conquest marks a tenth Gold Cup trophy for Mexico to extend its record as the all-time winner of the competition.

Chris Richards struck the opening goal in the 4’, delivering a header on a free kick service from Sebastian Berhalter, to place the U.S. in the lead.

Raúl Jiménez equalized for Mexico in the 27’ with a left-footed finish inside the box to connect on a through ball from Marcel Ruíz.

Gilberto Mora threatened from long range in the 40’, striking a left-footed shot from outside the box that was saved by Matt Freese.

Mexico withstood back-to-back attempts in first-half stoppage time as the U.S. threatened with a header from Alexander Freeman in the 45’+1’ that was saved by Luis Ángel Malagón. Diego Luna missed from close range seconds later as the two sides went tied into halftime.

Roberto Alvarado had a close encounter for Mexico in the 51’, sending a left-footed shot from outside the box just to the outside of the left post.

Max Arfsten had a shot of his own from outside the box in the 54’ that was just wide of the top post.

Edson Álvarez struck a header into the net in the 77’ to capitalize on a free-kick opportunity and strike the match-winning goal for Mexico. Johan Vásquez aided the delivery to further the set piece service from Alexis Vega.

Mexico won the Gold Cup in consecutive editions for a successful title defense. The win also marks the second Gold Cup conquest for Mexico under Manager Javier Aguirre, who headed the 2009 title run.

Post-Match Data

Two New Records Set in the First Half

Chris Richards scored the fastest goal ever in a Gold Cup Final, finding the net at \ [03:31], breaking the previous mark set by Michael Bradley in 2011 against Mexico at \[07:18]. Remarkably, both goals came from headers.

Sebastian Berhalter made history as the first player to deliver an assist from a direct free kick in a Gold Cup Final (since 2003), for any national team.

Special mention to Mario Escobar — he is now the second Guatemalan referee with the most Gold Cup Finals officiated in the tournament’s history, only behind Carlos Batres (3). Escobar has now matched the mark of Honduras’ Said Martínez and Trinidad & Tobago’s Ramesh Ramdhan, each with 2 finals.