Mexico 2-0 United States (Feb 26, 2024) Game Analysis

Mexico beat the United States for the second time ever, getting targets from Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo for a 2-0 victory Monday night time within the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

The U.S. entered the sport 40-1-1 in opposition to its rival, with its solely earlier loss a 2-1 choice throughout Women’s World Cup qualifying in 2010.

It was the primary loss for the U.S. beneath interim coach Twila Kilgore, who took over after the staff’s dramatic exit from the Women’s World Cup final summer season within the spherical of 16. Emma Hayes will take over for Kilgore this spring.

Mexico, which didn’t qualify for final yr’s World Cup, completed atop Group A within the Gold Cup whereas the United States completed second. Both groups superior to the knockout spherical.

Ovalle, who performs for Tigres, put Mexico forward within the twenty eighth minute. U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn tried to defend Ovalle however kicked the ball proper at her. Ovalle floated a shot over goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and two U.S. defenders and into the web.

It was the primary objective conceded by the U.S. to a CONCACAF opponent in 33 matches.

Mexico almost scored once more in first-half stoppage time however Karla Nieto’s shot from distance hit the crossbar.

Kiana Palacios had a superb likelihood to present Mexico a cushion however her shot hit defender Abby Dahlkemper and bounded away.

Pelayo scored from distance in stoppage time and Mexico’s gamers celebrated wildly on the sector.

The United States noticed success from its youngsters within the first two video games of the match. Olivia Moultrie, 18, scored twice in a 5-0 victory over the Dominican Republic and Jaedyn Shaw, 19, scored a pair in a 4-0 victory over Argentina.

This is the first-ever Women’s Gold Cap, created to present girls’s groups within the CONCACAF area extra aggressive matches. Twelve groups performed group-stage matches throughout three cities: Carson, San Diego and Houston.

Argentina beat the Dominican Republic 3-0 earlier Monday in Group A.