Edson Alvarez, Mexico felt at home winning Gold Cup

HOUSTON – NRG Stadium shook as Mexico’s Edson Alvarez rejoiced with his teammates after scoring what proved to be the winning goal over the United States on Sunday night.

El Tri’s captain had just delivered a perfectly timed diving header to cap a brilliant sequence off a free kick. Once the ball went past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, the center referee delivered a temporary blow. El Tri and the pro-Mexico sellout crowd of 70,925 offered a collective groan at the original offside call.

It had been six years since El Tri beat its heated rival in an “official” competition. What’s another minute or two? It was somewhat poetic that Alvarez had to wait a bit longer to celebrate the winning goal.

After consulting with the video assistant referee, center referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca blew his whistle and declared a goal. The call sent an ear-piercing roar through the green-clad crowd.

‘Our style’

“Did you see Alvarez’s face during Edson’s celebration?” Mexican coach Javier Aguirre said. “That’s what I’m referring to. With Edson, you see a Mexican running with exultant pride in communion with the crowd, that’s precisely what I’m referring to. That’s how we are as Mexicans. That’s our style.”

The party continued long after the final whistle sealed the 2-1 victory that gave Mexico its 10th Gold Cup title.

“I want to thank (Mexican fans),” said El Tri forward Raul Jimenez, who tied the score in the 27th minute. “Whenever we play anyone, we’re the local team. I am very happy to be able to give them this joy, especially with everything that is going on.” 

Chris Richards put the United States on the board in the fourth minute with a header over Mexico’s goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon. Richards’ powerful header off Sebastian Berhalter’s free kick hit the crossbar and bounced down past the right side of the goal line.

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Jimenez tied the score with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box. The goal off Marcel Ruiz’s assist was the 42nd senior international goal for Jimenez, who is third on El Tri’s all-time goal scoring list.

Ten minutes after a controversial non-call on what could have given the U.S. a penalty kick, Alvarez sealed El Tri’s victory in the 77th minute. Alexis Vega sent a free kick into the box, and Johan Vasquez headed it back toward Alvarez, who got behind the defenders to head it in. 

Edson Alvarez lauds ‘team effort’

Mexico and its fans were momentarily dejected after the goal was called off. Once VAR reversed the call, Alvarez, his teammates and the crowd went into a frenzy.

“I’m happy, mainly because we accomplished the team’s objective,” said Alvarez, was named the best player of the 2025 Gold Cup. “I’ll always speak in general, because it’s a team effort, it’s not just me. 

“It’s a team effort. And then, once the personal results happen, then I welcome them.”

Alvarez captained Mexico through all six Gold Cup matches. He played every minute, scored two goals and had an assist. The West Ham midfielder’s leadership went beyond stats. 

Once the final whistle blew, the sellout crowd serenaded El Tri with “El Rey.”

“I know myself personally, it hurt,” Richards said. “But also it’s something that maybe needed to happen. You take it on the chin and you keep pushing forward. I promise you we won’t be losing anymore finals to Mexico.”