Malik Tillman failed to win the Gold Cup with the United States on Sunday evening. Mexico was too strong in the final in Houston with 1-2, thanks to a well-placed header from former Ajax player Edson Álvarez.
Álvarez headed in the 77th minute after a curling free kick. The Mexicans thus took a 1-2 lead, which ultimately proved sufficient for the win.
In addition to West Ham United midfielder Álvarez, former Ajax player Jorge Sánchez also started for Mexico at right back. There was also a starting spot for sixteen-year-old Gilberto Mora, who plays for Club Tijuana in Mexico.
Tillman played the entire final in a sold-out NRG Stadium. He was unable to ensure that the US won the Gold Cup for the first time since 2021.
For Mexico, it is the second consecutive victory and the tenth in total at the final tournament for countries in North and Central America. The first edition of the Gold Cup was in 1991, and since then the tournament has usually been held every two years.
US starts strong in final
This year’s Gold Cup was extra interesting because host country US will also organize the World Cup next year, with 48 instead of 32 participants for the first time. The country is doing so together with Canada and Mexico.
With US against Mexico, the Gold Cup got the final that was expected in advance. The Americans started the final battle excellently. Chris Richards made it 1-0 after four minutes. In the 27th minute, Raúl Jiménez, the 34-year-old striker from Fulham, equalized. After the break, Álvarez’s header brought Mexico the final victory.
Tillman is finally on vacation now that the Gold Cup is over. There is a good chance that the 23-year-old attacking midfielder will not return to PSV after his vacation. Bayer Leverkusen wants to pay around 40 million for Tillman, who would like to move to the Bundesliga. His contract in Eindhoven runs until mid-2028.