00:0072,000 tickets sold. That is the expectation somewhere around that number when the attendance is officially announced.
00:06It is officially a sellout here today at NRG Stadium.
00:10We would expect nothing less for the occasion and for the matchup between these two teams.
00:15United States in the white going from left to right.
00:18From the moment the ball kicked off in the tournament last month, and away we go.
00:22This game does really support Jettino in his belief in wanting to go.
00:25In this tournament, it's not always pretty, but it's effective. Alvarado looking through, early ball in.
00:29Give it away by Tim Rehm. Careless play at the back. Cleaned up by Armstead against Saudi Arabia for a goal.
00:34Looking for the same thing. Richards! Off the bar and in!
00:38Chris Richards opens the scoring for the United States. Four minutes in!
00:42Bearhalter has made absolute money on these deliveries throughout the competition, and the FA Cup winner, Richards, the young star, the 25-year-old, steps up and delivers.
01:08It kisses the crossbar over the line. Stars and stripes, one. Mexico, nil.
01:14By the slimmest of margins, Chris Richards, his second goal of the tournament.
01:20I was just saying and queuing it up before that free kick. It was that same combination. Verhalter to Richards.
01:25Who have it in store for you with the ball and everybody behind the ball.
01:28Delatore releasing out of the midfield. Tillman spotting that run, playing it through.
01:32Look at the shot.
01:33Chance brewing again now for Mexico.
01:35Outside of the boot, deflected off of Tim Rehm.
01:37And Matt Freeze is there to scoop it up.
01:42Here he is. More up. End line. More up. Richards.
01:45Attacking Armstead. You mentioned earlier in the week, Link Armstead deflected and Freeze has.
01:48It's Alvarado with the outside of the boot. Well done by Freeze to read it.
01:51Now Jimenez trying to.
01:53Head for Vega. Well defended by Freeman.
01:56Headed on. It's Alvarado. On that left foot, chipping it over the top. Freeze.
02:01Marcel Ruiz looking over the top. Chris Richards.
02:03It's starting to push USA back.
02:05So even if USA do win the ball in their defense.
02:08LB whipped in. Alvarado.
02:11The U.S. It was 2007 and 2021.
02:13As Freeman clears this one away.
02:15Shout for a penalty from Mexico.
02:18There's also a question of whether or not it's a goal kick or a corner kick.
02:22Freeze says ahead for Berhalter.
02:24Berhalter the early ball. Looking for Ajiman Luna tracking.
02:27Works it back from the short corner routine.
02:29Mora going for a goal. Saved by Freeze.
02:31There was a little bit of an assist there to Mario Escobar.
02:33He got it in Gilberto Mora's way.
02:34He almost wasn't expecting the young 16-year-old to go for a goal there.
02:38Flipping it through. Jimenez.
02:40Brilliant football being played now by Mexico.
02:42To the end line.
02:42That's an additional set piece essentially.
02:44Tillman throws it long.
02:45Headed away from Montez.
02:47Ajiman to the end line.
02:48His best work in this turn.
02:5022 within the rivalry.
02:51Vega looking back.
02:52Post.
02:53Flipped away.
02:53Jorge Sanchez now joining Duck on the right-hand side.
02:56Jimenez lays it off.
02:57Looking to the turn.
02:58Sneaks it through.
02:58Jimenez scores!
03:00You knew the response was coming.
03:03Raul Jimenez equalizes for Mexico.
03:05We talked about Raul Jimenez, how world-class of a striker he is.
03:17Number nine is a fading sort of art in football.
03:22But Raul Jimenez is still waving the flag.
03:25Diego Jota, the Portuguese and Liverpool forward who passed away just days ago.
03:30Every forward, every player was Dembele yesterday.
03:33Raul Jimenez paying respects today.
03:34But look at the run right there, Joe.
03:36Right on the shoulder of Reem.
03:38And the one-time shot in the roof of Matt Freese's net.
03:41No chance for the goalkeeper.
03:43Superb run by Jimenez.
03:44But the ball was fantastic.
03:47Right into his path for Marcel Ruiz.
03:501-1.
03:50Game on.
03:51With a split second too slow in getting there.
03:53Now Jimenez again.
03:55Luna with Mexico.
03:56Double down now and keep the momentum going.
03:57Freeman enters the challenge.
03:59Clears it out for a throw.
04:02He saw it on one of those looks there on the goal for Mexico.
04:04For Sanchez.
04:05Jorge Sanchez delivers.
04:06Jimenez.
04:09Vega curling back post.
04:11And never regained control of the game.
04:13Fed through.
04:14Freeman reads it.
04:15Mono.
04:16Gets to the end line.
04:18Passed Arshton.
04:20Balls for Alvarado on the volley.
04:22Saved by Freese.
04:23Councing ball easy in the end.
04:25Marisa Pochettino always talked about this experience.
04:28This tournament.
04:29There's a lot of moments with young players.
04:31Peace.
04:31They've scored a few goals off set pieces already this tournament.
04:33Lofted in from the court.
04:34Alberto Mora.
04:36Mora on the left foot.
04:36Going for goal.
04:37Saved by Freese.
04:38That is a 16-year-old who is not afraid of the moment.
04:41And nearly comes up with something majestic.
04:44Right foot.
04:45Left foot.
04:46Any foot.
04:46This kid has it all.
04:48At Freese.
04:50Well.
04:50He made something.
04:51For a secondary effort here.
04:53Vega to the end line.
04:54Low driven ball.
04:55The end of one.
04:56Alvarado.
04:56With the backspin.
04:58Looking.
04:59Sanchez works it back.
05:00Marcel Ruiz.
05:02And a more.
05:02Battle going on.
05:05Whipped in.
05:05Flick was in front.
05:06Now Ajiman the header.
05:08Luna settles and puts it over the bar.
05:10Did it take a touch?
05:11Mario Escobar says no.
05:13Not for a goal kick.
05:14But a positive moment for the Lions.
05:15Ball from Berhalter.
05:15Has some runners up top.
05:16Freeman the header.
05:18It's back the other way.
05:20Off of Malagone.
05:21With the redirect and the spin.
05:23Couldn't quite tell which way it was going.
05:24Fortunately for Mexico it stayed out.
05:26Now Ajiman.
05:27Freeman there.
05:29Freeman looking to get end line.
05:30And he does he goes down.
05:31Play on.
05:32Berhalter there.
05:33Almost loose in front.
05:34Berhalter supply the magic assist again.
05:37Berhalter whips it in.
05:38Headed clear Luna.
05:39It's been held in check so far.
05:40Feeding it through.
05:40Looking for Ajiman.
05:42To the end line.
05:43Feeding it across the header.
05:45He's up looping for Freeze.
05:46He seemed a bit unsure whether to come out there or not.
05:48Matt Freeze forced it at that in the end.
05:50It wasn't a clean header.
05:51By Richards.
05:52Still alive here.
05:53Vega chipping.
05:54He met his.
05:56Curled in.
05:57Loose.
05:59Again looking for Gallardo.
06:00To the end line.
06:01Deflected by Richards.
06:02And out for a corner.
06:03Again coming down that side.
06:05Beating Alex Freeman.
06:07Reem defending.
06:08Alvarado cutting in.
06:09Alvarado bending just wide.
06:11He's been waiting for that all the game so far.
06:14Loves that left foot.
06:16Always the threat to cut in.
06:17First time he's had a clean look and almost made it count.
06:19Check that.
06:20All tournament he's been trying to.
06:21Just could run into the far post.
06:22Gets to his sweet spot.
06:24Does not convert.
06:25Alvarado.
06:26In this tournament Max Arstin cutting in.
06:28Arstin going for a goal.
06:29Just over the bar.
06:30He saw what Alvarado did at the other end.
06:32And wanted his own crack at it.
06:33Did not miss by much.
06:34What makes him so special is that he's two footed.
06:37He's going to show you the left and cut back on the right.
06:39As a left back.
06:40And almost finds the top corner.
06:42Are you kidding me?
06:42He's on side.
06:46Alexis Vega centering.
06:47Deflected.
06:48Bouncing around.
06:49Last off Richards.
06:50Freeze with it.
06:51Diego Luna asking who's covering the left back offstand.
06:54Left wanting.
06:55Tucked further in.
06:56To the challenge.
06:57Vega keeps it going.
06:58Vega deflected.
06:59Freeze.
07:00Wasn't quite sure with a spin on it.
07:02Would have been out for a corner anyway because of the deflection.
07:04So wise to just make sure of the night for Mexico.
07:07Curled in.
07:08Jimenez was there.
07:08A couple of headers.
07:09Because there's no competitive action between now and the World Cup.
07:12There was a fear that it would be.
07:13Alexis Vega now delivering over everything.
07:16You can see what they added.
07:17Vega end line.
07:18The service toward the back post.
07:20And just chested.
07:21Arstin cutting in.
07:22Weaving through.
07:23Shulper ahead.
07:24Adams flicks it away.
07:25Tillman flicks it further.
07:26The volley from distance is out for a goal kick.
07:29And just to finish up that note again.
07:31It's just they consider it.
07:32Whether you agree or not.
07:33They consider it.
07:34Vega.
07:35The service on the corner.
07:36The header.
07:36Off frame was always going to be difficult there.
07:39As Johan Vasquez was.
07:41Or a part of me.
07:41That was Jorge Sanchez.
07:43Jumping away from the ball.
07:45Trying to steer it toward that far post.
07:46See today.
07:47Now from the free kick.
07:48Whipped in.
07:48The header back post.
07:49Alvarez.
07:51He's been Mr. Mexico.
07:55But the flag negates it.
07:56Last game.
07:59He set L3's record for most matches in the VAR room.
08:03And the goal awarded.
08:05Enson Alvarez gives Mexico the 2-1 lead.
08:08Celebrations delayed.
08:09But celebrations nonetheless.
08:16Like you mentioned, Joe.
08:18A better angle to work with than the corner kicks.
08:21And the flick on by Vasquez was educated.
08:23Right on the 6-yard line.
08:25All the defenders are facing their own goal at this point.
08:29Pochettino frustrated.
08:31But Mexico deserved it.
08:33Not only do they have the possessions.
08:35They have the corners to go with it.
08:36They have the shots on goal to go with it.
08:38All the statistics point in Mexico's direction.
