%2Fsportzpoint%2Fpost_banners%2Fd116abdc8dce257e8400ef24b1153378cfb87fa5d10c893f1303376a020ef669.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) secured a 3-0 victory over Mexico to book a place in the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. However, the high-intensity semifinal encounter between the two rivals witnessed chaotic scenes almost throughout the match and, also forced the referee to stop the match early.
Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo received a massive Portugal future update from head coach Roberto Martinez
USA vs Mexico: What happened in the match?
The action started with the USA dominating the show as star midfielder Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Pulisic then doubled USA's lead in the 46th minute. However, a brawl broke out between players of both sides in the 69th minute as César Montes kicked debutant Folarin Balogun while the two were tussling for the ball. Montes saw a direct red card for his conduct and led a huge fight that broke out on the sidelines. Two minutes later Weston McKennie also saw a red card for placing his neck Jorge Sánchez's neck.
Ten minutes later Ricardo Pepi scored the final goal of the match and USA extended their lead to 3-0. This was not it as another brawl broke out close to the Mexican corner flag in the 85th minute. Sergino Dest collided with Gerardo Arteaga which once again led players from both sides into intense shoving.
Both Dest and Arteaga were shown red cards for their conduct, taking the total number of red cards to four. The match then took yet another ugly turn and this time it was the Mexican fans. They got involved and forced the referee to bring an early end to the contest.
The match was cut short after the stadium devolved into echoes of homophobic slurs from Mexican fans. The play was halted because of the deafening noise in the 90th minute. When the officials signaled 12 minutes of stoppage time, the action resumed. However, the persistent chanting forced the referee to wrap up in the eighth added minute. USA will now meet Canada in the finals, who defeated Panama 2-0 in their respective semifinal tie.