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.”

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