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Mexico strike gold

Image: Barrera and Dos Santos helped to see Mexico to the title

Mexico came from two goals down to see off the United States of America 4-2 and clinch Gold Cup glory.

America throw away two-goal lead in final

Mexico came from two goals down to see off the United States of America 4-2 and clinch CONCACAF Gold Cup glory. West Ham winger Pablo Barrera netted twice at the Rose Bowl to help secure a dramatic success. The United States appeared to be strolling towards the title when Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan eased them in front early on. But Barrera and Andres Guardado levelled before the interval and the former struck again before Giovani Dos Santos clinched victory. In front of over 93,000 fans, the hosts took the lead inside eight minutes when Bradley peeled off at the near post to head in Freddy Adu's corner. They quickly lost defender Steve Cherundolo to injury before Manchester United frontman Javier Hernandez twice went close to an equaliser, first heading Dos Santos' corner over and then firing Barrera's through-ball against the post. But the USA went 2-0 up when Clint Dempsey's through-ball was finished emphatically by Donovan.

Havoc

Adu shot just wide before Barrera cut the deficit, a low first-time finish from Hernandez's through-ball bobbling inside the near post. And Guardado equalised from close range after Dos Santos' cross caused havoc in the States defence. They took the lead for the first time four minutes after half-time, Barrera latching onto Guardado's pass and producing a similar finish to that for his first goal, but this time across keeper Tim Howard. Carlos Bocanegra headed Donovan's cross wide and Dempsey drilled a left-footed effort against the bar as Bob Bradley's side sought a response, while Dos Santos went close for Mexico. But the impressive Tottenham winger saved the best for last as he raced onto Gerardo Torrado's overhit through-ball and kept his head to track back to the edge of the box before finding the top corner with a perfectly-weighted chip over the head of defender Eric Lichaj. The result earns El Tri a place in the 2013 Confederations Cup.

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