Gold Cup Final 2025: VAR Handball Controversy as Mexico Edge USMNT 2‑1

Gold Cup Final 2025: VAR Handball Controversy as Mexico Edge USMNT 2‑1

Quick Facts

• Score: Mexico 2‑1 United States

• Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston — 70,925 sell‑out crowd

• Key flash‑points:

  • 66’ — Jorge Sánchez handball shout waved away after VAR check

  • 77’ — Edson Álvarez header first ruled offside, then awarded on review

• Coaches: Mauricio Pochettino (USA) & Jaime Lozano (Mexico)

• Titles: Mexico lift a record 10th Gold Cup troph

A Final That Had Everything – Except a Penalty for the USA

The United States struck early through centre‑back Chris Richards, but the defending champions from Mexico fought back via Raúl Jiménez and the decisive header from Edson Álvarez. The football itself was lively; the refereeing decisions proved explosive.

The 66‑Minute Handball That Sparked Outrage

With the score locked at 1‑1, wing‑back Max Arfsten burst into the left side of the box. Mexican defender Jorge Sánchez slid in, missed his footing and placed his left hand on top of the ball while steadying himself. Referee Mario Escobar signalled play on, and VAR official Benjamin Pineda confirmed his no‑penalty view after a brief check.

happens in the other box, it’s a penalty — full stop,”
— Mauricio Pochettino, post‑match.

What the Handball Law Actually Says

• A player is usually not penalised if a hand/arm is supporting the body while falling.

• However, the exemption disappears if the arm deliberately moves toward the ball or blocks its path.

• IFAB illustrations show the arm may be about to touch the turf, not necessarily already grounded.

On replays, Sánchez kept his eyes on the ball and appeared to push downward, giving officials a tough judgment call — yet many analysts argue the contact was deliberate enough for a spot‑kick.

VAR Takes Centre Stage Again — Álvarez’s Winner

Eleven minutes later, Álvarez powered a close‑range header. The assistant referee’s flag went up for offside, but VAR over‑ruled after confirming the midfielder had timed his run perfectly. A deafening sea of green shirts inside NRG Stadium roared as the goal stood — and ultimately settled the contest.

Pochettino’s Fury

Speaking to reporters, the Argentine‑born USA boss described the handball decision as “embarrassing” and questioned CONCACAF’s consistency:

• “Seventy thousand people saw it; only the officials ignored it.”

• He also lamented two further calls — a soft free‑kick that led to Mexico’s winner and an alleged block on Richards

Pochettino insisted he was “not crying”, but demanded higher refereeing standards ahead of the 2026 World Cup cycle.

Echoes of Previous High‑Profile Handballs

• Martin Ødegaard vs Liverpool (Premier League, Dec 2023) — similar “supporting‑arm” incident; no penalty given, later admitted as a mistake.

• José María Giménez vs Portugal (World Cup 2022) — defender’s arm to the ground; VAR did award a controversial penalty.

Sunday’s call now joins that growing catalogue of VAR debates.

Match Stats Snapshot

Mexico’s more sustained pressure told in the end, but the USA will rue the one moment the video technology chose not to intervene.

What Next?

• Mexico celebrate back‑to‑back Gold Cups and head into autumn World Cup qualifiers brimming with confidence.

• USMNT must regroup quickly; Pochettino hinted at “summer soul‑searching” and possible tactical tweaks before September’s Nations League fixtures.

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Sources

• ESPN match & VAR analysis, 7 Jul 2025espn.com

• New York Post match report, 7 Jul 2025nypost.com

• AP News press conference quotes, 7 Jul 2025apnews.com

• Fox Sports interview with Pochettino, 7 Jul 2025foxsports.com

• Houston Chronicle crowd & stats, 6 Jul 2025houstonchronicle.com

• Reuters match summary, 7 Jul 2025reuters.com