Mauricio Pochettino Rips ‘Embarrassing’ Missed Penalty Call In Gold Cup Final Loss

Gold Cup: Mauricio Pochettino Criticizes ‘Embarrassing’ Penalty Miss in Final Loss

Updated Jul. 7, 2025 – 12:41 p. phlove casino login register philippines jackpot gamem. ET

HOUSTON — In a post-match press conference, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his frustration over the officiating during the Americans’ 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup final. Pochettino asserted that his team should have been awarded a penalty kick in the second half.

Pochettino was particularly concerned about an incident involving Mexico defender Jorge Sánchez, who he believed handled the ball inside the penalty area during the 67th minute. Replays showed Sánchez placing his hand on top of the ball.

“I want to tell the truth,” Pochettino stated. “And the truth is that if that happened in the other box, it would surely be a penalty. The player had a knee on the floor and pushed his hand over the ball. It’s not that the hand was on the ground and the ball touched Sánchez.”

The U.S. team took an early lead in the fourth minute when defender Chris Richards headed a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter past Mexican goalkeeper Luis Malagon, hitting the underside of the crossbar before crossing the goal line. jili free Mexico equalized before halftime, with star striker Raul Jimenez finding the net.

Ten minutes after the incident involving Sánchez, Mexico captain Edson Alvarez scored the decisive goal. According to the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board, a penalty should not be awarded if a defending player falls and the ball strikes their supporting arm, which is between their body and the ground. However, neither of these exceptions applied in this situation, as Sánchez intentionally made contact with the ball using his hand.

U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams also believed it was a missed call. “To me, it looked like a handball,” he commented. “When you land on the ball and move the ball towards you, it’s usually considered a handball.” Adams suggested that had the penalty been called, “maybe it’s 2-1 for us, and maybe we would be celebrating with the trophy now,” Pochettino added.

The former Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham Hotspur manager further indicated that the overwhelming pro-Mexican crowd at the sold-out NRG Stadium might have influenced referee Mario Escobar’s decision to not award the penalty. jili games 777 jili casino login “For me, it was embarrassing to see that situation…I understand that with 70,000 people, giving that penalty is not easy.”

Nevertheless, Pochettino acknowledged Mexico’s performance and the circumstances of the match, stating, “It’s hard to argue that El Tri didn’t deserve to win against a U.S. squad missing as many as eight regular starters, including key player Christian Pulisic.” Mexico outshot the Americans 16-6 and controlled 60% of possession.

“If we lose, we lose. No problem,” Pochettino remarked can someone pick up my lbc package. “I am the first to say we need to improve. I am not crying. I’m not saying anything against Mexico. I have full respect for Mexico, and I congratulate them.”

What do you think about the missed penalty call in the Gold Cup final?