USA Vs Mexico
USA Vs Mexico Monday 2 August, 2021 – 01:30
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Pick: Both Teams to Score – NO
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 31 July 2021)
Preview: In a repeat of the Nations League tussle between these countries in June, which the USA won after a five-goal epic that went into extra-time, Mexico are one game from retaining the Gold Cup. However, as in 2019, El Tri must overcome the United States, this time in Las Vegas, Texas, to lift the trophy.
CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
USA – Another late smash and grab on the cards?
The USMNT made it through to their 12th CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a tense 1-0 victory over Qatar, in which the contest’s decisive strike came four minutes from the end following a well worked moved that was eventually converted by Gyasi Zardes for his 14th international goal. The true hero, however, was the man between the sticks who banked a fourth clean sheet in five Gold Cup matches.
That was the fourth win to nil of the tournament for USA, each coming by way of the same 1-0 scoreline. This latest narrow-margin success, though, hinged almost entirely on the sublime reflexes of goalkeeper Matt Turner who made several crucial interventions to keep the dangerous Maroons at bay. But credit goes out to this team as a whole for digging deep and delivering another gutsy performance.
A similar effort – and possibly even then some – will be required against tournament favourites and defending champions Mexico, who the US lost to in the last final in 2019. Meanwhile, Gregg Berhalter’s side have transformed themselves from being rapid starters, scoring inside 15 minutes in all three group games, to late bloomers, instead netting 83rd and 86th minute winners in each knockout round.
Mexico – Miserly El Tri seeking first-half upper hand?
After ousting Canada in a dramatic semi-final encounter that featured two penalties given following lengthy checks by the Video Assistant Referee – one scored, the other saved – six yellow cards and a late 99th minute game-winning goal, will Mexico feel their name is on the trophy once more? Whatever happens, they have set up a repeat of the Nations League final that was lost to the USA in June.
In truth, this team on paper was always expected to go the distance. Mexico have won eight of their nine previous finals, including in the most recent edition, a 1-0 win over USA. They did, however, concede for the very first time in this tournament in the semi-final. Seeing their run of seven consecutive clean sheets come to an end against what was a depleted Canadian strike force.
Canada didn’t get too many look ins though, with Mexico the dominant party throughout a feisty contest in Houston. Eventually this dominance tolled, in the dying embers. Yet it was Orbelin Pineda’s converted spot-kick deep into first-half stoppage time that caught my eye. That goal meant Tata Martino’s men have held the lead going in at the break in all four tournament victories thus far.
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USA Vs Mexico Betting Advice
With neither truly convincing in their semi-finals with Qatar and Canada respectively, this is shaping up to be another competitive renewal between the USA and Mexico. The former may still be buoyed by their extra-time victory in June’s inaugural Nations League final. But that was a USMNT at full strength. Mexico, who had won the previous two meetings to nil, also missed a penalty in extra-time to restore parity.
USA Vs Mexico – Key Facts:
- This will be the second competitive duel between USA and Mexico, both coming in tournament finals. USA won the first, emerging 3-2 victors in extra-time in June.
- That Nations League final was the only one of the past four head-to-head encounters to feature both teams among the goalscoring action.
- Defences have also been critical to both teams paths to the final. USA and Mexico have both kept a clean sheet in four of five games so far, conceding only one goal apiece.
This should be a tense final, likely low on goals. Between them these teams have allowed two goals in ten Gold Cup matches, recording a combined eight clean sheets and producing six 1-0 scorelines. So it would be a genuine curveball were they to all of a sudden put on a show in Las Vegas, Texas. Mexico Win To Nil certainly appeals. However, Both Teams NOT To Score is the safer alternative.
Best Betting Odds – USA Vs Mexico
USA – 11/5
Draw – 15/8
Mexico – 5/4
(All betting odds provided by Betfair)
