LOS ANGELES: Mexico stunned the United States with only their second-ever victory over the four-time world champions on Monday in the CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup.
Lizbeth Ovalle fired Mexico into the lead on 38 minutes, pouncing on a blunder by veteran US defender Becky Sauerbrunn before lifting a cool finish over goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Substitute Mayra Pelayo-Bernal put the seal on the victory for Mexico with a superb individual goal two minutes into stoppage time, curling a long-range effort beyond Naeher to make it 2-0.
The win was only the second victory for Mexico over the US women in 43 games since the two teams first met in 1991.
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The Americans had won 40 of their previous encounters, with one draw and a lone defeat back in 2010.
Ovalle’s well-taken opener was also the first time that the US have conceded a goal against CONCACAF opposition in 33 games.
Mexico’s win means El-Tri will finish top of Group A in the 12-team tournament, with the US women advancing to this weekend’s quarter-finals as runners-up.