Days after helping Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League, USMNT star Christian Pulisic helped his national team to a 3-2 victory over Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League to guide them to the inaugural edition of the trophy.
FC Porto winger Jesus Corona scored to give Mexico the lead inside the first minute and ensure the United States had the worst possible start to the game before 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund whiz-kid Giovanni Reyna equalised for the USMNT in the 27th minute. Seconds after coming on as a substitute, Real Betis youngster Diego Lainez scored to restore Mexico’s advantage in the 79th minute, but Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie equalised once again for the USMNT in the 82nd minute to take the game into extra time. Team captain Christian ‘Captain America’ Pulisic stepped up in the 114th minute to tuck home a penalty that he won to give his side the lead for the first time in the game. Veteran Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado missed from the penalty spot in added time at the end of extra time as goalkeeper Ethan Horvath saved his penalty, ensuring that the United States was crowned as champions of the CONCACAF Nations League.
This title is the first won by the United States since their CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph of 2017. The title win will be savoured by the young USMNT squad led by coach Gregg Berhalter as they handed a defeat to bitter rivals Mexico on the way to winning the trophy.
