HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 to retain the CONCACAF Gold Cup and lift the title for a record-extending 10th time on Sunday.

A header 13 minutes from time from Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez completed a come-from-behind victory for ‘El Tri’ after a typically hard-fought tussle between the North American arch-rivals and 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

The win was no less than Mexico deserved after dominating for long periods against Mauricio Pochettino’s inexperienced USA side, who went into the tournament missing several first-choice regulars.

Alvarez’s winner capped a fairytale return to Houston after he had limped off in tears at the same venue during Mexico’s opening game of the Copa America last year.

“It’s a very emotional moment for me,” the West Ham midfielder said afterwards.

“Ever since I got to Houston, I’ve been thinking about that heartbreak. I just asked life to give me one more joy.”

The USA had got off to a dream start, centre-back Chris Richards heading the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of just under 71,000 fans at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Sebastian Berhalter’s perfectly flighted curling free-kick from wide on the right sowed panic in the Mexican defence and Crystal Palace defender Richards stooped to glance in a powerful header which cannoned off the underside of the bar and over the line.

But that early effort was to be the USA’s best chance of a first half that Mexico controlled, spending most of the opening 45 minutes camped in the host nation’s territory.

Mexico’s 16-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora threatened to grab an equaliser in the 24th minute but his curling shot was saved by USA goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Three minutes later though Mexico drew level.

Marcel Ruiz threaded a superb pass through to veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

– Jota tribute –
Jimenez celebrated by producing a shirt bearing the name and number 20 of late former Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mate Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal star who died in a car crash in Spain last week.

Mexico continued to carve out the better chances through the remainder of the half and Roberto Alvarado’s low shot forced another good save from Freese in the 35th minute.

Freese needed to be alert again five minutes from half-time, Mora’s powerful strike being parried away by the USA goalkeeper as it hurtled towards the top corner.

Alex Freeman almost nodded the USA back in front on the stroke of half-time after pouncing on hesitation by goalkeeper Angel Malagon, but his header cannoned back off the face of the Mexico stopper.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mexico looking much the more threatening side as the USA struggled to create anything at the other end.

The breakthrough finally came though in the 77th minute, when Johan Vazquez’s flick-on from a free-kick was met by Alvarez who powered a header into the net past Freese.

The goal was chalked off for offside, but replays showed Alvarez was clearly onside, and after a check by the Video Assistant Referee, the on-field decision was overturned and the goal stood.

Mexico have now won the Gold Cup a record 10 times, three more than the USA, who have seven.

“Obviously we’re disappointed not to come away with a win,” USA captain Tim Ream said after the defeat.

“We started out really well and then they obviously got a spell in the game in the second part of the first half. We just missed a little bit of calmness when we won the ball, to try and move them around a little bit,” Ream added.