Pulisic's Extra-Time PK, Horvath's PK Save Gives USA Win Over Mexico in Nations League Final

[BeyondGeography]

The latest chapter in the storied USA vs. Mexico rivalry was an instant classic.

The U.S. men's national team battled back from two one-goal deficits, including one just over a minute into the game, winning the first Concacaf Nations League title in extra time with a 3-2 triumph over its nemesis.

Tecatito Corona scored after 62 seconds and Mexico had a would-be second goal wiped off the board by VAR before Gio Reyna pulled even for the U.S. in the first half. In the second, Diego Lainez and Weston McKennie scored two minutes apart late to send the game to extra time at 2-2. It was there where a Christian Pulisic penalty kick following a VAR review and an Ethan Horvath PK save on Andres Guardado wound up being the difference on an unforgettable night in Colorado.

More at https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/06/07/usa-mexico-video-highlights-concacaf-nations-league-final

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[Ponietz]

1. Huge game for us -- class and character all around

Last edited Mon Jun 7, 2021, 12:15 PM - Edit history (1)

McKennie is a badass, Horvath made crucial, truly world-class saves, and the US played around it’s 2 weak links at wingback, McKenzie and Ream. Berhalter must look elsewhere — skilled outside defenders will give us more ball possession and make us truly formidable.

Sorry, to see the Mexican fans embarrass themselves, again. There is much latent homosexuality in machismo culture, and it sometimes manifests in the frustrated drunken fans screaming homophobic slurs at an opponent.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Good to see soccer world standing up to their homophobic spew

It’s for their own damned good. Not that I anticipate a change of culture anytime soon.

I thought the hand ball PK was pure appeasement, but (thanks to Horvath) it made the end result even more satisfying than it would have been otherwise.