The United States lost a controversial CONCACAF Gold Cup Final matchup to Mexico at NRG Stadium in Houston. A handball no-call was at the center of discussion after the fact.

Supporters of the US men’s national team believed an obvious handball occurred. Those rooting on Mexico say the officials got the call correct.

The two rivals matched up with a title on the line in the 2025 Gold Cup championship. A win for Mexico would get them to 10 all-time titles in the event. A win for the US would bring them to eight, and just one shy of Mexico’s top spot. The battle for bragging rights was intense!

Each side found the back of the net in the first half of action. The two foes went to the halftime break deadlocked in a 1-1 stalemate. The United States had hoped to take a lead late in the second half of play when Max Arfsten dribbled the ball into the box.

Defender Luis Sanchez fell on the ball as he tried to make a play. His hand clearly touched the ball. But was it a handball?

@foxsoccer This was not called handball #USA #USAvsMexico #GoldCup ♬ original sound – FOXSoccer

What is a handball?

The rulebook states that a handball has occurred if a player;

1. deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm
2. touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger
3. scores on an opponent’s goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental

The second clarification seems to be the one under the microscope. The term “unnaturally bigger” refers to a player having their hand/arm in a position that “is not a consequence of the player’s body movement for that specific situation.”

Essentially, referees ruled that Sanchez was using his hand to plant after falling to the ground. It was not an “unnatural” act in their eyes.

With the ruling and the successful defense, Mexico skirted a potential scoring threat. A few moments later, they took a 2-1 lead with a goal of their own.

@foxsoccerMEXICO TAKES THE LEAD After a VAR check, the goal is confirmed and Edson Álvarez puts Mexico on top #mexico #goldcup #usavsmexico

♬ original sound – FOXSoccer

Initially, offsides was ruled. It was later overturned to a good goal. That score would remain over the final 15 minutes of action to give Mexico the win.

Fans of the United States were upset with the controversial calls after seeing the final result. They voiced their frustrations on social media.

“Handball in the box by Mexico and an obvious offsides shot they switched to a score, and we are supposed to pretend we didn’t all see it on replay,” one viewer wrote on X. He also included the hashtag #Rigged.

“Sure,” said another follower. “VAR said it wasn’t a handball but then they review the Mexico go-ahead goal in no time to determine it was a goal… CONCACAF at its finest!”

It might take the US some time to swallow this defeat given some believe they were playing against both Mexico and the referees.

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