DENVER, Colorado – It will be a battle of Concacaf giants on Sunday as Mexico take on long-time rivals the United States in the Final of the 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Both sides had to overcome major hurdles to reach this point, but now an opportunity to become the first ever CNL champion beckons.
The U.S. got a late goal from Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok to emerge with a 1-0 win over Honduras in their semifinal on Thursday.
Siebatcheu Pefok came off the bench late in the second half and made an immediate impact with his score.
The U.S. enjoyed good performances from FW Giovanni Reyna, who manufactured some of the best scoring chances for the U.S. against the Catrachos.
Also showing his usual spark was newly crowned UEFA Champions League winner Christian Pulisic, and the Chelsea man will no doubt love to score his first goal against Mexico in the Final.
El Tricolor can set off fireworks at any time with their attack as well, and FW Hirving Lozano could consider himself unlucky not to have scored off an acrobatic shot that struck the crossbar in Mexico’s semifinal with Costa Rica.
In the end, GK Guillermo Ochoa once again proved decisive, helping Mexico to a 5-4 penalty shootout win after the 0-0 draw.
Ochoa’s steady presence in goal will give his side plenty of comfort in Sunday’s Final, knowing that they will be able to rely on one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Concacaf history.
Sunday’s contest marks a rematch of the two teams’ thrilling 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Final in which Mexico won 1-0 thanks to a Jonathan dos Santos score. The chance for the U.S. to avenge that defeat should make for another can’t-miss affair between the two.
