Christian Pulisic stepped up in the 78th minute to convert a VAR-awarded penalty and hand the United States a vital 2-1 victory over Mexico in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B encounter.

The match had swung back and forth, with Mexico leveling the score through Hirving Lozano's clinical 64th-minute strike after the Americans had taken an early lead.

The late drama unfolded when a handball decision went against Mexico following a lengthy video review, allowing Pulisic to calmly slot home the decisive kick.

Both teams now share the same points tally heading into their final group fixtures, setting up a tense conclusion to the section. The victory keeps American hopes alive while leaving Mexico needing a strong result in their remaining match to secure progression.