Why Mexico Wasn’t Called For A Handball in the Gold Cup Final vs. USA

Mexico handball Gold Cup Final vs USA — that phrase echoed across social media and post-game debates after a controversial no-call in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, where Mexico beat the USA 2-1.

The moment occurred in the second half, with Team USA trailing 2-1 and pushing hard for an equalizer. A cross into the Mexican penalty box appeared to deflect off the arm of Mexican defender Johan Vásquez, prompting loud appeals from U.S. players and fans.

But referee Mario Escobar waved play on, and VAR (Video Assistant Referee) chose not to intervene. The non-call drew immediate outrage online and sparked a heated debate about handball rules in modern soccer.

Let’s break down five key reasons why the handball wasn’t called—and why it may have been the right (or wrong) decision.

1. Arm Position Considered “Natural” by Officials

According to IFAB (International Football Association Board) handball rules, a handball offense must involve a player deliberately handling the ball, or the arm being in an unnatural position that makes the body unnaturally bigger.

In this case, Vásquez’s arm was slightly extended, but not far enough away from his body to be judged unnatural. Referees are trained to assess whether the arm is deliberately placed to block the ball or whether it’s a result of natural movement in a challenge.

Escobar appeared to judge that the defender’s movement was natural and that there was no clear intent to play the ball with his hand.

2. No Clear and Obvious Error for VAR to Overturn

One of VAR’s core principles is “minimal interference, maximum benefit.” It is only meant to step in if the on-field decision is a clear and obvious error.

Since Escobar had a clear view of the play and immediately ruled no handball, VAR officials reviewed the incident but did not find enough evidence to override his call.

Without irrefutable video proof that the handball met the offense criteria, VAR correctly followed protocol by not intervening.

3. Deflection From Close Range Matters

Another important point in handball evaluation is proximity. If the ball strikes a player’s hand or arm from a short distance, where they have no time to react, it’s often not penalized.

In this case, the ball was crossed in at high speed and struck Vásquez’s arm from a short distance, giving him little to no reaction time. That likely influenced both the referee’s and VAR’s interpretation of the play.

4. No Advantage Gained from the Contact

Referees also consider whether the ball-to-hand contact directly impacts play or gives an unfair advantage.

While the ball did make contact with the arm, it immediately bounced away and did not lead to a clearance, a block, or a goal-preventing action.

Because the ball’s path wasn’t dramatically altered and the defender didn’t gain control, the officials may have determined that it wasn’t impactful enough to warrant a penalty.

5. Consistency With Previous Tournament Calls

Throughout the 2025 Gold Cup, referees have shown a trend of not calling borderline handballs, particularly when players had arms close to their body or minimal time to react.

This call—or non-call—was arguably consistent with how similar incidents were handled earlier in the tournament, which matters for fairness and officiating credibility.

Reactions: Fans, Analysts, and Players Respond

Social media was instantly flooded with reactions. #HandballGate began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with American fans and analysts questioning the decision.

• ESPN’s Taylor Twellman tweeted: “That’s a handball. Every day. Every tournament. No idea how that’s not called.”
• Former USMNT player DaMarcus Beasley said on air: “We’ve seen those given. But it’s 50-50. That’s a tough one.”
• Mexican legend Rafa Márquez defended the decision: “That’s not a penalty. Never was. It hit him, but it wasn’t intentional.”

Even some neutral analysts admitted it was a “gray area” decision—one of those cases where half the referees would give it, half wouldn’t.

What It Meant for the Match

The no-call kept Mexico’s 2–1 lead intact, and they went on to secure their 10th Gold Cup title. Had the penalty been awarded and converted, the game might have gone into extra time—or shifted momentum entirely.

USA’s coach Gregg Berhalter refused to dwell on the call in post-match comments, saying:

“We had our chances. I won’t blame it on one moment. But yeah, we thought it was worth a look.”

Final Thoughts

The Mexico handball Gold Cup Final vs USA moment will likely remain one of the most talked-about plays of the tournament.

Was it a missed call? Maybe. Was it a textbook application of modern handball rules? Also maybe.

In the end, it highlights the fine margins in top-level soccer—where one referee’s interpretation can change the outcome of a major final.

As technology improves and the IFAB continues to evolve handball guidance, debates like this are far from over.

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