Mexico and USA Avoid Early Clash in Gold Cup Drama
The much-anticipated showdown between Mexico and the United States Men's National Team will have to wait—at least until the Concacaf Gold Cup final. After a dramatic yet scoreless draw between Mexico and Costa Rica, the tournament’s top two powerhouses find themselves on separate paths, with both nations finishing at the top of their respective groups. The result? A potential clash that can only happen if both teams reach the final on July 6.
Mexico’s final group-stage match against Costa Rica didn’t offer a high-scoring spectacle, but it was filled with tension and controversy. In the dying seconds of stoppage time, Santiago Giménez seemed to have sealed the game with a stunning acrobatic volley. Fans erupted, celebrations began—but VAR had other ideas. The goal was ruled out for offside, and with that, the game ended 0-0. Despite the anti-climactic ending, the result was enough for El Tri to secure first place in Group A.
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It wasn’t just Mexico’s offensive efforts that made headlines. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez came close to breaking the deadlock with two close-range efforts that tested Costa Rica’s legendary goalkeeper, Keylor Navas. The 0-0 result may have lacked goals, but it had its fair share of moments that underscored the quality and competitiveness between the two sides.
Costa Rica, who also won their previous two matches, couldn't quite edge past Mexico due to a slightly inferior goal difference. To add salt to their wounds, their forward Manfred Ugalde picked up a second yellow card in the group stage, ruling him out of the quarterfinal matchup against the United States. This suspension could tilt the balance in favor of a U.S. squad already managing a somewhat depleted roster.
Javier Aguirre’s Mexican side will now face Saudi Arabia in the quarters, while Costa Rica prepares for a showdown with Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. team. And even though stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah are missing from the U.S. lineup, the Americans remain a formidable opponent.
Interestingly, this entire scenario means fans will be spared a Mexico–USA clash in the early knockout rounds—a potential disappointment for some, but a gift for those hoping to see a high-stakes final between the region’s fiercest rivals. If both teams can make it through their next matches, a dramatic, possibly historic finale could await in early July.
So, while the expected fireworks between North America's football giants are delayed, the anticipation only grows. A Gold Cup final between Mexico and the U.S. isn’t just a possibility now—it’s the dream scenario the tournament is building toward.
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