SEATTLE - The fiercest and most passionate rivalry in CONCACAF will have another chapter, as Mexico and the United States meet at the Nations League final. The 77th all-time meeting between both North American neighbors will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada for the second time in history. One year ago, Gregg Berhalter's side dismantled Mexico 3-0 to qualify to the CNL final.
As both teams have been CONCACAF's best sides in recent years, Mexico and the U.S. have had a long past in terms of deciding who ends up lifting the trophy. In the history of the rivalry, there have been nine previous instances of El Tri and the USMNT at a final. Although the Americans have won each of the last two such games, Mexico controls the head-to-head winning six of the finals.
With so many to choose from, we bring you the best five finals between Mexico and the United States across all competitions.
2021 CONCACAF Nations League final
The inaugural edition of the tournament saw both giants face off in the final. Mexico took the early lead thanks to a Jesús Corona goal in the second minute. The United States had to come from behind twice and a Weston McKennie goal sent the game to extra time.
With less than ten minutes to go, VAR awarded a penalty in favor of the Americans as Christian Pulisic was brought down in the box. A calm and collected Pulisic put his team in front at the 114th minute but Mexico would still have one last chance. In the last minute of extra time, Mexico had a penalty in their favor with captain Andrés Guardado getting ready to take it. Substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath became the hero that night saving Guardado's penalty and giving the U.S. their first-ever Nations League crown.
2021 Gold Cup final
Just a couple of months after their 3-2 classic at the Nations League, Mexico and the U.S. faced off at the Gold Cup final. And just like the match in June, this one also went to extra time as neither team couldn't break the deadlock. A set piece in the 117th minute found its way to Miles Robinson's head, who didn't hesitate and connected with the ball to set the whole stadium alive.
Robinson's goal gave the United States its first victory over Mexico at a Gold Cup final since 2007.
We know you could watch that Miles Robinson goal over and over again so here are three angles of it! 🎥How did you celebrate when it hit the back of...
2015 CONCACAF Cup
In a one-off game to determine CONCACAF's representative at the 2017 Confederations Cup, Mexico and the United States faced off at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in front of more than 90,000 fans.
The United States qualified as the 2013 Gold Cup winners while Mexico won the 2015 edition, so a playoff game was needed to see who would be flying to Russia to participate in what remains as the last edition of FIFA's Confederations Cup.
Three of the five goals scored that day came in extra time, as Geoff Cameron cancelled out Javier "Chicharito" Hernández' opener. Oribe Peralta and Bobby Wood scored in extra time, but it wasn't until the 118th minute that the game would be decided. After a series of scrambles and bad clearances, Mexican fullback Paul Aguilar connected a sweet volley to send Mexico to the 2017 Confederations Cup.
2011 Gold Cup final
What seemed like another title for the United States ended up in disappointment, as Mexico overcame a two-goal deficit and scored four unanswered goals to take home the Gold Cup title.
The first half of the game saw both teams score twice, but the second half was dominated by El Tri. Pablo Barrera scored the 3-2 to put Mexico ahead but perhaps the most famous goal of the night was scored by Giovani dos Santos.
In a fantastic solo play, dos Santos danced around the box trying to find an opening that would seal the game in Mexico's favor. With U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard also fighting for the ball, dos Santos' goal remains as one of the best strikes in the history of the competition due to its complexity.
2009 Gold Cup final
To this date, Mexico's dismantling of the United States at the 2009 Gold Cup final remains as one of the worst defeats for the USMNT against its archrivals.
The first half ended all tied at 0-0, but more than 70,000 fans at the old Giants stadium were treated to a goal feast in the second half, as Mexico scored five goals without an answer from Bob Bradley's side.
Although it remains as one of the USMNT worst defeats against Mexico, it's fair to say that their squad wasn't at full strength for that final. Less than a month before their 5-0 loss to Mexico, the United States reached the 2009 Confederations Cup final, defeating Spain in the semifinals.
The 2009 Gold Cup final was the last time the USMNT played a game at the Giants Stadium before its demolition.
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