A 114th-minute penalty from Christian Pulisic helped the USA beat Mexico in a hotly-contested encounter. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was his side hero, as he saved a last-minute penalty during extra time.
The start could not have gone more badly for the USA, who conceded within the first minute. A defensive lapse by centre-back Mark McKenzie allowed Jesus Corona a 1-v-1 opportunity and the Porto man smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The States equalized before the half-hour mark through Reyna’s rebound after McKennie hit the post with a header.
With goalkeeper Zack Steffen unable to continue, USA head coach Gregg Berhalter sent on substitute Horvath in his place. The 25-year-old would go on to have a sensational game between the posts, making several good saves, including a 120th-minute penalty from Guardado. The only time the Club Brugge custodian was beaten on the night was minutes after he came on, with another substitute – Diego Lainez – firing Mexico in the lead with a well-hit shot from inside the box.
Berhalter’s men had to come from behind for the second time in the match, and they did exactly that when McKennie headed past Guillermo Ochoa from a corner. As a result of McKennie’s equalizer, the game stretched into extra time.
Chelsea star, and recently-crowned Champions of Europe, Pulisic scored the match-winning goal for the USA. The attacker was fouled inside the box, and he himself took the subsequent penalty to give his team the lead. There was to be some late drama as Mexico, too, were awarded a penalty kick late in extra-time, but Horvath kept the scoreline at 3-2 with a good, low stop.
