Resolution criteria

This market will resolve based on the consensus opinion of the community regarding whether the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final was "stolen." Participants are encouraged to consider the available evidence and express their views through voting.

Background

The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, held on July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston, saw Mexico defeat the United States 2–1, securing their tenth Gold Cup title. The match was marked by several contentious officiating decisions that have sparked debate:

• Handball Incident: In the 67th minute, Mexico's Jorge Sánchez appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area after a collision with U.S. player Max Arfsten. The referee did not award a penalty, a decision that U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino criticized as "embarrassing" (foxsports.com).

• Foul Leading to Winning Goal: In the 77th minute, a foul was called on U.S. midfielder Diego Luna, leading to a free kick from which Mexico's Edson Álvarez scored the decisive goal. Pochettino contended that Luna did not commit a foul and that Álvarez was offside (foxsports.com).

These incidents have led to discussions about the fairness of the match's outcome.

Considerations

When evaluating whether the final was "stolen," consider the following:

• Officiating Decisions: Assess the impact of the referee's calls on the match's result and whether they were consistent with standard officiating practices.

• Team Performances: Evaluate the overall performances of both teams, including tactics, execution, and opportunities created.

• Historical Context: Consider previous instances of controversial officiating in high-stakes matches and how they were perceived.

Participants should weigh these factors to form an informed opinion on the matter.