Mexico was very aggressive from the beginning and got two quick corner kick opportunities. But the U.S. stunned its rival with a corner kick of its own, as Michael Bradley broke free and headed the ball beautifully past the hand of Alfredo Talavera at the eighth minute to go up 1-0.

Landon Donovan made it 2-0 as he got a great pass on the run and struck it masterfully into the net at the 23rd minute.

But Mexico made a match of it as the United States was caught napping after a substitution. Pablo Barrera took a chance from the right side and put it past Tim Howard at the 29th minute to put the score 2-1.

Mexico then tied the score on a counterattack. The ball was loose in the area and Andres Guardado, who had been doubtful to start after an injury against Honduras, was at the right place to put it into the goal at the 36th minute.

U.S. player Steve Cherundolo and Mexicans Rafael Marquez and Carlos Salcido had to leave the match in the first half due to injuries.

Mexico started the second half just like it did the first, very aggressive, quick on the ball, trying to catch the U.S. players on their heels. On the counterattack again, Pablo Barrera was able to strike it from the right side and the ball went underneath a diving Tim Howard and into the net. Mexico had its first lead of the night at the 50th minute and the score was 3-2.

At the 76th minute, in a terrible breakdown by the U.S., Howard came out all the way to meet Giovani Dos Santos. Gio somehow broke away from Howard and multiple defenders and put a beautiful lob over the heads of all the U.S. players to put Mexico ahead for good 4-2.

The announced attendance of 93,420 was the largest for a Gold Cup game in the United States. But it was clear throughout the match that El Tri fans were the overwhelming majority.

This was the sixth Gold Cup title for Mexico, which now has a ticket to the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

David Castro/Terra Deportes USA