‘Incredible feeling’: West Ham’s Alvarez wins Gold Cup for Mexico as Premier League trio score

West Ham’s Edson Alvarez has described the tense wait before the Player of the Tournament discovered his winning goal for Mexico had been allowed in the 2025 Gold Cup final.

El Tri captain Alvarez’s header put his side 2-1 ahead against the USA in the 77th minute at Houston’s NRG Stadium, although the 27-year-old had to hold his breath while referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca and his officiating team assessed an offside decision.

“These are key moments, really,” said Alvarez. “Personally, I knew the goal was valid from the run I made.

“Afterwards, the celebrations drowned out a little, but when they give the goal to you it’s a truly incredible feeling to celebrate with all your team-mates and all the people.”

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Mexico vs USA: Premier League stars shine at Gold Cup

Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards’ fourth-minute header opened the scoring and put former Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on course for his first trophy since being appointed USA manager in September 2024.

Fulham forward Raul Jimenez struck the equaliser from inside the box 23 minutes later, using his celebration to pay tribute to Diogo Jota – his former Wolves team-mate – who died in a car accident last week.

The game was the final competitive match for both nations before they co-host the 2026 Fifa World Cup with Canada.

¡El Capitán! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/MqnaIDxtPI

— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) July 7, 2025

World Cup 2026: Mexico ‘dreamers’

Mexico are one place behind the USA in 17th in Fifa’s rankings and have now won six of their eight meetings with the USA in the final, adding their record-extending 10th Gold Cup triumph to their 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League title.

“We always work to continue learning,” said Alvarez. “Even today, when we won, there’s a lot of work to do. There are always things to improve but the desire and hunger of this group is tremendous.

“I’ve been in many dressing rooms but what I find here is a group of young dreamers who want to work and really do things right for Mexico.”

¡Pura emoción, Edson! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/9dMl5UaM21

— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) July 7, 2025

Edson Alvarez stats

Mexico City-born Alvarez made his Liga MX debut for boyhood team Club America in October 2016, played for his country as a 20-year-old at the 2018 Club World Cup and joined Ajax in July 2019, proceeding to score on his Champions League debut against Lille in September 2019 and win two Dutch titles with the Amsterdammers.

Alvarez joined West Ham for £35.4 million on a five-year deal in August 2023 and was a regular starter in his first season, making 42 appearances in all competitions as the Hammers finished ninth under David Moyes and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

He was sent off twice during a forgettable 2024/25 campaign for West Ham, starting only two of their final 10 matches, including three games out through injury.

Reports suggested Alvarez had fallen out with former manager Julen Lopetegui, who succeeded Moyes but was replaced by Graham Potter in January.

A goal and assist in Mexico’s opening Gold Cup win over the Dominican Republic represented a happier return to international football for Alvarez, who was ever-present on their six-match run to the title.

¡Edson Álvarez es el mejor jugador de la Copa Oro! 🇲🇽👏

Presentado por @aramco pic.twitter.com/DWFeO0j9z6

— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) July 7, 2025

When does West Ham’s 2025/26 Premier League season start and end?

Having finished 14th in 2024/25, West Ham visit Championship play-off winners Sunderland on the opening matchweek of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Potter starts his potential first full season at the Stadium of Light at 15:00 on Saturday, August 16. The game will not be shown on live TV in the UK.

The last round of matches will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.

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