Sam Mbonu
The final match of Group A of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup saw Mexico in an upset win over the almighty USWNT at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California to finish top of the group.
It is the first Mexico win against the United States since 2010, a span of 16 matches. The two goals also snap a streak of 33 straight matches in which the U.S. had kept a clean sheet in Concacaf competition.
Both teams showed intent from the onset as striker, Sophia Smith tried to give the USWNT an early lead in the 7th minute with a perfect control inside the box but only could muster a shot into the waiting arms of Mexican goalkeeper, Esthefanny Barreras.
Mexico response was swift as Houston dash FW, maria Sanchez whipped a free kick in the 14th minutes only for US goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher scooped it up.
Mexico broke the deadlock in the 38th minutes when USWNT DF Becky Sauerbrunn misplayed a clearance deep in her own half, allowing Mexico’s FW Jaqueline Ovalle to take advantage and control the ball just inside the area and got past Naeher before chipping it over two defenders into the back of the net.
Karla Nieto nearly doubled the lead for Mexico just before halftime with a shot from outside the area, but her efforts struck the woodwork.
In the 56th minutes, the USWNT tried to level things up from a freekick after Mexican DF Greta Espinoza fouled Captain and MF Lindsey Horan outside the box, only to see Horan’s shot sail over the crossbar.
The USWNT kept knocking at the door, with FW Trinity Rodman hooking a shot just wide in the 89’.
Finally, at the death of time, FW Mayra Pelayo closed the Mexican win with a banger from outside the box that landed in the top right corner, giving Mexico a historic win that will be etched into the annals of times in soccer history.
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