Christian Pulisic converted a late penalty and Ethan Horvath saved an even later one to beat Mexico 3-2 in extra time to win the Nations League.
Nations League final: USMNT 3 – Mexico 2 aet
The USMNT lifted the first Concacaf Nations League trophy, beating Mexico 3-2 in extra time. The win required working through giving up an early goal, a goalkeeper switch, getting a late penalty through instant replay, and saving a late Mexico penalty.
It was an interesting start at Empower Field in Denver. Mexico opened the scoring just over a minute into the game when Jesus Corona took full advantage of a US attempt to pass the ball out of the back. Mexico looked like they had doubled the lead in the 24th, but video review determined that the goal was offside. Gio Reyna equalized for the USMNT in the 27th minute, taking advantage of a rebound after Weston McKennie’s header hit the post from a Christian Pulisic free kick. Zack Steffen made the save on a 1v1 with Hirving Lozano in the 43rd minute.
The USMNT had to sub out Steffen in the 68th minute after the USMNT goalkeeper picked up a non-contact injury. With Ethan Horvath in goal, Diego Lainez scored for Mexico in the 79th. Weston McKennie equalized in the 82nd minute. Horvath made several high pressure saves to send the game to extra time. There was a delay late in stoppage time when Mexico fans were warned over discriminatory chants.
In the 112th minute, Christian Pulisic was brought down in the box with instant replay showing a foul. The referee red carded Mexico coach Tata Martino for putting his arm around him during the video review. Pulisic converted the penalty in the 114th minute. Mexico had a chance in stoppage time of extra time to equalize from the penalty spot, but Horvath came up with another big save.
“I’m kind of speechless, to be honest,” Horvath told CBS Sports Network. “If you’re on the bench as a keeper you don’t expect to come in the game. It’s just a whole bunch of emotions. I was so proud of the boys because they put in a… shift.”
— GAME REPORT —
Date: June 6, 2021
Competition: Concacaf Nations League – Final
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High; Denver, Colo.
Attendance: 37,648
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. local
Weather: 77 degrees; cloudy
MEX – Jesus Corona 1st minute
USA – Gio Reyna 27
MEX – Diego Lainez (Hirving Lozano) 79
USA – Weston McKennie (Gio Reyna) 82
USA – Christian Pulisic (Penalty Kick) 114
Lineups:
USA: 1-Zack Steffen (12-Ethan Horvath, 69); 22-DeAndre Yedlin (20-Reggie Cannon, 106), 15-Mark McKenzie, 6-John Brooks, 13-Tim Ream (4-Tyler Adams, 82), 2-Sergiño Dest (21-Tim Weah, 60); 8-Weston McKennie, 23-Kellyn Acosta; 7-Gio Reyna (17-Sebastian Lletget, 82), 9-Josh Sargent (16-Jordan Siebatcheu, 68), 10-Christian Pulisic (Capt.)
Subs not used: 19-David Ochoa, 3-Matt Miazga, 5-Antonee Robinson, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 14-Jackson Yueill, 18-Yunus Musah
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
MEX: 13-Guillermo Ochoa (Capt.); 21-Luis Rodríguez, 2-Néstor Araújo, 15-Héctor Moreno (3-Carlos Salcedo, 100), 23-Jesús Gallardo; 8-Carlos Rodríguez (7-Luis Romo, 66), 4-Edson Álvarez (10-Orbelín Pineda, 117), 16-Héctor Herrera (18-Andrés Guardado, 100); 20-Uriel Antuna (14-Diego Lainez, 78), 22-Hirving Lozano, 17-Jesus Corona (9-Henry Martin, 66)
Subs not used: 1-Alfredo Talavera, 12-Rodolfo Cota, 5-Jorge Sánchez, 6-Sebastian Córdova, 11-Alan Pulido, 19-Gerardo Arteaga
Head coach: Gerardo Martino
Stats Summary: USA / MEX
Shots: 14 / 21
Shots on Goal: 7 / 7
Saves: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 18 / 13
Offside: 2 / 5
Misconduct Summary:
USA – John Brooks (Caution) 10th minute
USA – Kellyn Acosta (Caution) 49
USA – Mark McKenzie (Caution) 86
MEX – Héctor Herrera (Caution) 90+2
USA – DeAndre Yedlin (Caution) 90+4
MEX – Hirving Lozano (Caution) 111
USA – Christian Pulisic (Caution) 116
MEX — Gerardo Martino (Ejection) 120+2
MEX – Andres Guardado (Caution) 120+10
Officials:
Referee: John Pitti (PAN)
AR1: Caleb Wales (TRI)
AR2: Jassett Kerr (JAM)
4th Official: Oshane Nation (JAM)
