Austin (AP) – Host USA and defending champion Mexico will meet in the final of the Gold Cup. At the tournament of the North and Central American continental association CONCACAF, the US footballers initially prevailed against the next World Cup host Qatar 1-0 (0-0).
The only goal in Austin, Texas, was scored by Gyasi Zardes (86th minute). In the second semi-final in Houston, Mexico defeated Canada 2-1 (1-0) with a goal from Hector Herrera in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Orbelin Pineda (45 + 2) had put the Mexicans in the lead with a converted penalty. Tajon Buchanan (57th) was able to equalize for Canada in the meantime. The former Frankfurt Carlos Salcedo also missed another penalty (66th).
The final will take place on Sunday (Monday, 2.30 a.m. CEST). The USA and Mexico have each won five of the last ten editions of the Gold Cup – Mexico won the last three direct final duels, most recently 1-0 in 2019.
Qatar took part in the Gold Cup as a guest starter in order to gain international match practice for the finals in their own country (November 21 to December 18, 2022) – just like in the World Cup qualification in Euro Group A.