Gold Cup Final: Giménez Targets Milan Banter Win

Gold Cup final week has arrived, and Mexico’s rising No. 9, Santiago Giménez, cannot wait to greet two familiar faces—Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah—on the Allegiant Stadium pitch before the joking begins at AC Milan’s training ground.

Why the Gold Cup final matters to Giménez

For the 22-year-old Feyenoord striker, the Gold Cup final is more than a continental trophy. It is a chance to end a personal scoring drought, re-ignite El Tri’s dominance over the United States, and earn bragging rights over his new Rossoneri teammates. Giménez, who is expected to complete his summer move to Milan after the tournament, laughed that he “wants to tease Puli and Musah every day at Milanello” and needs a win in Las Vegas to make that banter stick.

Striker seeks redemption

Giménez started the tournament on fire with a goal against Jamaica, yet he has now gone 300 minutes without finding the net. Mexican head coach Jaime Lozano still backs him to start, explaining that his work rate opens space for wingers Uriel Antuna and Orbelín Pineda. “One goal in the Gold Cup final changes everything,” Lozano stressed. “Great forwards write history on nights like these.”

USMNT midfield engine and Milan connection

Pulisic and Musah joined Milan earlier this month and have peppered their new WhatsApp group with good-natured trash talk. “Santi keeps sending us Dutch memes, so we told him Serie A is waiting,” Pulisic said with a grin. Both Americans believe their synergy on the left side can unlock Mexico’s defensive block. They also recognize the psychological edge a victory in the Gold Cup final would give them when preseason begins in Lombardy.

Key tactical battles

• Pulisic vs Jorge Sánchez: The Milan winger will drift inside, forcing Mexico’s right-back to decide between tracking the run and protecting the flank.
• Musah vs Edson Álvarez: A duel of physicality and ball progression. Musah’s ability to burst through lines could tilt the match if Álvarez is even slightly late.
• Set pieces: With Giménez struggling from open play, Mexico may target César Montes’ aerial prowess on corners, a traditional weakness for the USMNT.

Historical context for the Gold Cup final

This year’s Gold Cup final is the eighth time Mexico and the United States meet in the championship game. Mexico leads the series 5-2, but the momentum has shifted north in recent cycles, with the Americans lifting the Nations League twice in a row. A sell-out crowd of 65,000 is expected in Las Vegas, and CONCACAF officials believe global streaming numbers could break last year’s record.

What victory would mean for each side

Mexico: A win would restore faith after the 2022 World Cup group-stage exit and Tata Martino’s turbulent tenure. It would also validate the decision to give Lozano an extended contract through 2026.

United States: Back-to-back regional titles would cement interim coach B. J. Callaghan’s credentials and hand Gregg Berhalter a confident squad when he returns to the touchline this autumn.

Giménez’s mindset heading into the Gold Cup final

The young forward admits he is superstitious. He has worn the same lucky shin pads since scoring his debut goal for Cruz Azul. “I’m keeping every routine exactly the same,” he joked. He spent the night before the semifinal watching videos of his father, legendary striker Christian “Chaco” Giménez, scoring for Pachuca. “If Dad could do it, why not me in the Gold Cup final?”

Pressure from the stands

Although Nevada’s large Mexican-American population promises a sea of green jerseys, recent meetings at neutral venues have not guaranteed Mexico a home-field advantage. USMNT supporters’ groups have organised a red-white-and-blue march down the Strip, hoping to replicate the raucous atmosphere seen in Cincinnati and Denver. Giménez says he feeds off both cheers and boos: “Noise is noise. If I can silence half the stadium with one finish, perfect.”

Expert predictions

Bookmakers list the match as a virtual coin toss. Former Mexico captain Rafa Márquez believes the duel will hinge on midfield control. “If Musah and Weston McKennie force Álvarez backward, Giménez could be isolated,” he cautioned. Conversely, US legend Clint Dempsey thinks set pieces will tilt the scale: “One Montes header, one Giménez rebound, and suddenly it’s 1-0 Mexico in the Gold Cup final.”

Form guide

Mexico: W-W-L-W-W
United States: W-D-W-W-W

What’s next after the Gold Cup final?

Regardless of the result, all three Milan men will fly to Italy for preseason medicals. Stefano Pioli aims to integrate them quickly, with Musah pencilled into a box-to-box role and Pulisic likely starting on the right. Giménez, should the paperwork conclude, will battle Olivier Giroud and Noah Okafor for minutes. The Gold Cup final outcome may not decide squad hierarchy in Milan, but it will certainly color dressing-room banter.

Broadcast information

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time on Sunday and will be shown on FOX in the United States and TUDN in Mexico. Fans worldwide can stream the Gold Cup final via the official CONCACAF app or regional partners.

Opinion: A rivalry that elevates both sides

The beauty of this Gold Cup final lies in its dual narrative: Mexico’s hunger to reassert supremacy and the United States’ ambition to prove their recent rise is no fluke. Giménez’s playful desire to rib Pulisic and Musah typifies modern football’s intertwined club and international storylines. Friendly jokes will end at kickoff, and when the dust settles, Milan will gain either a jubilant Mexican striker or two triumphant American midfielders. For neutral fans, that blend of personal stakes and regional pride is what makes CONCACAF’s showcase must-watch TV.