Mexico is still on top at the U-20 level.
El Tri beat the United States, 2-0, in the final of the Concacaf U-20 Championship in the final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday, Aug. 9.
The final was mostly for pride, with both teams already qualified for the U-20 World Cup and each side already having their place in the 2028 Olympics secured thanks to the U.S. hosting that tournament and Mexico having defeated Canada in the semifinal to secure the other Concacaf place.
Mexico scored a pair of goals on set pieces to win the title and defend the crown from the 2024 tournament when it beat the U.S. in León with a dramatic rally that saw a late goal and an extra-time win.
This edition was more straightforward, with Atlante center back Cristóbal
Alfaro nodding in a pair of goals, the first on a set piece from the left wing and the second on a corner kick that U.S. goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich spilled and Alfaro was able to win and put into the net.
¡Otra vez Alfaro, otra vez de cabeza! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/3EhYkzHz03
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) August 10, 2026
The U.S. also struggled to generate dangerous attacks going forward, finishing the night without a shot on target.
For the second match in a row, Mexico also benefitted from a controversial red card. After a second yellow was shown to a Canada player in the semifinal, U.S. defender Chris Applewhite was sent off just before the halftime break.
The Video Assistant Referee sent the center official to the monitor to review a tackle on Hugo Camberos. Despite Applewhite not appearing to make significant contact and another defender behind, the U.S. was reduced to 10 men for the second half.
The next U-20 World Cup will take place in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in 2027.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico defends Concacaf U-20 title with win over United States at the Azteca
