USA and Mexico stars involved in feisty on-pitch brawl in final
USA and Mexico stars involved in feisty on-pitch brawl as tensions boil over in CONCACAF Nations League final before Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic scores extra-time winner from the penalty spot
- Christian Pulisic converted a penalty kick in the 114th minute to beat Mexico 3-2
- The victory saw the US side win the final of the first CONCACAF Nations League
- However, there were several on-pitch brawls between the US and Mexican sides
- Atletico Madrid midfielder Herrera grabbed the throat of Weston McKennie
- While Mexico’s Hirving Lozano was seen running over to shove DeAndre Yedlin
- Fans were also caught throwing cups and bottles onto the pitch and at players
United States midfielder Christian Pulisic converted a penalty kick in the 114th minute to beat Mexico 3-2 in a final of the first CONCACAF Nations League.
The two rival sides met at the home of the Colorado Rapids, Empower Field in Denver, and put on a captivating show that saw a series of on-pitch brawls break out between the players.
The game also included penalty drama, VAR disarray, streakers and disorderly fans throwing objects from the stands onto the pitch.
There were several altercations during the 90 minutes, with a total of eight yellow cards being handed out.
The tone of the international fixture was set by Weston McKennie and Hector Herrera.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Herrera grabbed the throat of Juventus star McKennie, forcing the referee to turn to his cards.
The drama was far from over following Herrera’s yellow card as VAR awarded Mexico a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after a header hit the arm of McKennie.
The US beat Mexico 3-2 in extra time in the CONCACAF Nations League championship
Christian Pulisic (above) converted a penalty kick in the 114th minute to win the game
US substitute goalkeeper and Colorado native Ethan Horvath saved Andres Guardado’s penalty in extra time – causing another brawl to break out.
Hirving Lozano was seen running over to shove DeAndre Yedlin in front of 37,648 fans at Empower Field at Mile High.
The act resulted in mass pushing between the players and saw the fans hurl cups from the stands onto the pitch.
Boss Gregg Berhalter was left furious, and midfielder Gio Reyna was injured by one of the bottles flying from the stands.
However, there were several moments that led to on pitch brawls between the players
There were several altercations during the game, with eight yellow cards being handed out
‘Total lack of respect for what’s happening on the field and all effort that both teams are putting into the game,’ the raging Berhalter said. ‘I think he’s going to be OK, but he did take something to the head, and it could have been a lot worse.’
US full back Sergino Dest was among the players screaming at the stands for fans to stop throwing objects but his pleas were largely ignored.
Despite the dramatic fashion in which they won, US were delighted with the victory as it marked their first trophy since the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
It also capped off an incredible year for the US as 10 players from Berhalter’s side had also won titles with their respective clubs.
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