Edson Álvarez's tiebreaking goal gives Mexico 2-1 win over US for 10th Gold Cup title

HOUSTON (AP) — Edson Álvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute after a video review reversed an offside call, and Mexico beat the United States 2-1 on Sunday night for its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

Chris Richards put the U.S. ahead in the fourth minute, heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament, but Raúl Jiménez tied the score in the 27th with his third goal of this Gold Cup.

Mexico was awarded the free kick when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank. Johan Vásquez flicked the restart across the goal mouth and Álvarez burst past the defense, redirecting the ball from 3 yards just inside Matt Freese’s far post. While the play was initially called offside, the goal was awarded by the VAR, and Mexico defended its title from 2023 while improving to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the U.S.

Patrick Agyemang had a chance two minutes into stoppage time but he didn’t make good contact on his short-range shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.

“We’re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win,” U.S. captain Tim Ream said.

A sellout crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium was about 70% pro-Mexico and booed U.S. players when they walked out for pregame warmups. Mexico dominated with 60% possession and had 12 corner kicks to none for the Americans.

This was the last competitive match for the U.S. and Mexico before co-hosting next year’s World Cup with Canada.

The U.S., which has seven Gold Cup titles but none since 2021, used a starting lineup with only a handful of players currently projected as World Cup starters, missing regulars due to vacation, injuries and the Club World Cup.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino used their absence to evaluate players who could push for starting jobs during the friendlies this fall and next spring, and Luna, Agyemang and Freese emerged as contenders for World Cup roster spots.

Richards out the U.S. in front when he headed Berhalter’s free kick from about 40 yards off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down and just crossed the goal line.

Jiménez scored his 42nd international goal, third-most in Mexican history. He burst past the defense and one-timed the pass from Marcel Ruiz, beating Freese from about 10 yards on a shot that might have nicked Ream.

Jiménez celebrated by grabbing a Mexico No. 20 jersey with “DIOGO J” in honor of Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton teammate who died in a car crash Thursday in Spain. Jiménez ran to a corner, sat down with the jersey and mimicked playing a video game.

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Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez (9) celebrates after scoring as he sprints past United States defender Chris Richards (3) in the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Mexico forward Raúl Jiménez celebrates after scoring in the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match against the United States in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Mexico forward Alexis Vega, left, and Raúl Jiménez, right, celebrate Jimenez' goal against the United States in the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match against the United States in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez, left, celebrates after scoring as United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese (25) reacts to the play in the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) leaps as he celebrates after scoring against the United States as Johan Vásquez (5) looks on in the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez (4) celebrates after scoring against the United States in the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Houston, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

NEW CHANDIGARH, India (AP) — Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar picked up 3-21 as Afghanistan finished the second day of the solitary cricket test against India at 113-5 in 39.5 overs on Sunday.

Prasidh Krishan also picked up 2-27 with Rahmat Shah (43) unbeaten at stumps.

This was after India declared its first innings on 564-8 (127 overs), including centuries from Lokesh Rahul (100) and skipper Shubman Gill (126).

Mohammad Saleem picked up 6-140, the fifth-best bowling figures in tests for Afghanistan. India still leads by another 451 runs.

Earlier, India had reached 475-6 at lunch after Afghanistan picked up three wickets in the morning session.

Gill added 23 runs to his overnight score before he was caught off Saleem, an innings that included 15 fours and a six.

Gill and Rishabh Pant put on 169 runs for the fourth wicket to seize control for the hosts.

Pant then added a quick-fire 36 runs with Dhruv Jurel before the set duo was out in the space of six deliveries – Saleem bowled Jurel (19) to get his fourth, while Pant was caught at the boundary off Hashmatullah Shahidi for 81.

Post lunch, Washington Sundar scored his sixth test half-century as India crossed 500. He hit five fours and a six to anchor the lower order.

Suthar also scored 28 off 41 balls in his maiden test outing. Mohammed Siraj added 22 off 12 balls. Saleem accounted for both Suthar and Siraj – picking up his fifth and sixth wickets, respectively.

It was Saleem’s maiden five-wicket haul – and best bowling figures – in only his second test as India declared ahead of tea.

Suthar then struck the first blow as Siraj completed a running catch to give the spinner his maiden test wicket when opener Abdul Malik was out caught for 16. Afghanistan went to tea at 28-1.

India picked up another four wickets in the final session, led by Suthar and Krishna. Suthar had Rahmanullah Gurbaz out caught for 12

Sediqullah Atal was bowled for 17, while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (20) was out lbw – both to Krishna, who is featuring in his first test on home soil, as Afghanistan slipped to 98-4.

Shahidi and Shah added 36 for the fourth wicket – the best partnership for Afghanistan yet.

Afsar Zazai (3) and Shah battled for 45 deliveries, before Suthar dismissed Zazai in the final over of the day, taking a simple return catch. Shah hit six fours and a six to stay unbeaten at stumps.

It is only the second test between the teams. India had hosted Afghanistan’s inaugural test in Bengaluru when the home side won by an innings and 262 runs.

On Day 1, India had won the toss and opted to bat, finishing the day at 368-3.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah, left, looks on as India's Manav Suthar takes the catch to dismiss Afghanistan's Afsar Zazai off his own bowling on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Dhruv Jurel fields a shot by Afghanistan's Afsar Zazai on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Manav Suthar, left, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Afghanistan's Afsar Zazai on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's debutant Manav Suthar bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Washington Sundar, right, bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Rishabh Pant bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Dhruv Jurel, center, is bowled out by Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem, left, on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's captain Shubman Gill bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)