Mexico seal place at 2028 Olympics after controversial VAR red card in U-20 win over US

Cristóbal Alfaro scored twice as Mexico retained their Concacaf Under-20 title with a 2-0 victory over the United States in the final at the Azteca on Sunday.The victory booked Mexico’s place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics – the US have already qualified as hosts – but the match was overshadowed by a controversial red card. The US were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Chris Applewhite received a red card after a VAR review for a challenge on Hugo Camberos, during which the US captain appeared to make minimal contact with his opponent.Mexico were 1-0 up at that point after Alfaro had opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful, close-range header from a set piece. The defender sealed the victory with his second goal, another header, in the 69th minute.“It’s a dream come true. Although I scored, this is a collective achievement. I thank the fans for their unconditional support,” Alfaro said in a post-match interview. “It was an incredible experience to win at home.”Mexico finished the tournament unbeaten and only conceded one goal.Both teams were already assured of spots in next year’s Under-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan by reaching the semi-finals of the Concacaf championship.