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Rivals US and Mexico clash again for Gold Cup glory in final today

Eight-time Gold Cup winners Mexico can expect a stiff test from a US atacking force that has managed to wear down opponents with key late goals

Long-time rivals the United States and Mexico will once again batle for Concacaf glory when they meet in the 2021 Gold Cup final on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

It will mark the eighth Gold Cup match-up between the two nations and the seventh time they will have met in the final. In the previous seven encounters, Mexico have pocketed five victories while the US have two, including the lone semifinal contest, coming in the inaugural edition in 1991.

It is also the second straight Gold Cup final between the two sides, with Mexico winning the 2019 Final 1-0 in Chicago.

Overall, it will be the 72nd match between the US and Mexico, the last coming in June in the final of the Concacaf Nations League Finals when the US. won a memorable 3-2 affair in extra time.

Both teams arrived into Sunday’s final on the strength of dramatic semifinal victories. The US scored in the 86’ to defeat Qatar 1-0, while Mexico got a goal in the 90+9’ to edge Canada, 2-1.

The play of each team’s defense has been noteworthy, with just one goal allowed in their respective five matches.

The US have also enjoyed contributions from players across the board, with FWS Mathew Hoppe and Gyasi Zardes supplying gamewinning goals in the knockout rounds, while Mexico have received top performances from their atacking players like Rogelio Funes Mori and Orbelin Pineda, who each have three goals in the tournament.

For the US to win their seventh Gold Cup title, they will need to clamp down on MF Hector Herrera and prevent Funes Mori, Pineda and FW Jesus Corona from geting good looks in front of goal.

Meanwhile, eight-time Gold Cup winners Mexico can expect a stiff test from a US attacking force that has managed to wear down opponents with key late goals.

Those story-lines and more should make for yet another Concacaf classic between these two decorated sides.

Earlier, Zardes’ match-winning goal in the 86th minute against Qatar has given the US men’s national team their 12th Concacaf Gold Cup final appearance.

“Our starters, they did an amazing job at wearing Qatar out, wearing their defenders out by making runs beyond the backline,” said Zardes ater the match.

“When the subs were able to come in, we’re able to try to make a difference, and be more energized.”

Zardes collected his sixth Gold Cup goal in the victory to help the US to their third consecutive final. He is participating in his fourth consecutive edition of the tournament and is hoping to lit the trophy for the second time in his career.

Part of the 2017 Gold Cup winning team and the 2019 runners-up, Zardes has both celebrated and faced disappointment in the final. He will hope to re-live the former when the US faces Mexico on Sunday.

“I’m going to do whatever I can to try to make a difference,” said Zardes. “Every day in training, I’m giving my all.

“Every time I step on the field, I’m giving my all. I’m doing the best I can do and trying to just get beter each and every single game.”

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2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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