Mexico’s women beat USA to retain The World Games title as flag football continues its rise on the road to LA28

Mexico retained its World Games crown in dramatic fashion, recovering from conceding what looked like the game winning touchdown by the United States to drive downfield and seal a 26-21 victory as time expired.

USA receiver Madison Fulford drew a penalty to keep a late faltering USA drive alive then with 33 seconds remaining caught the game tying touchdown having broken free behind the Mexico defense. Geraci caught the all-important extra point that earned what looked like a decisive 21-20 lead.

But Mexico had other ideas and the drama that flag football can provide even with only a matter of seconds on the clock unfolded and earned Mexico the gold medal.

An illegal contact penalty gave Mexico a first down with only 14 seconds remaining and then with three seconds left on the clock from the five-yard line after another defensive penalty quarterback Diana Flores found Victoria Chavez in the back corner of the end zone for an incredible winning touchdown.

The game had been a defensive battle up until the late flurry of points and early on Andrea Fernandez sacked Vanita Krouch on USA’s opening drive and then Allison Salazar came up with an interception. Mexico was unable to capitalize as US defensive back Amber Clark-Robinson defended a pass on third down and when Mexico did find the end zone, the final pass was caught out of bounds.

Izzy Geraci and Fulford were uncharacteristically unable to hold on to deep passes as USA faltered again and then Mexico’s offense also misfired under the Americans’ blitz and downfield coverage.

The first half continued to be a defensive stalemate as double coverage denied Geraci and end zone grab as she was twice overthrown by Krouch and USA turned the ball over on downs. When Mexico had the ball, Ashley Edwards pressured Flores and her fourth down pass to Silvia Contreras was juggled out of bounds.

An illegal contact penalty earned USA a crucial first down and a Krouch to Fulford drove the world champions into the red zone for the first time with a minute to play in the half. Two plays later Ashley Klam reeled the ball in for a touchdown to break the deadlock and a Geraci point after opened a hard-fought 7-0 lead.

Mexico looked to have struck back immediately but Contreas dropped a catch in the end zone when completely open. On the following play, Rincon got a stunning pass off while under pressure and found Monica Rangel who also reeled in a two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead.

Salazar came up with her second interception of Krouch inside the final minute of the first half and Mexico converted the turnover into points as Rincon raced down the left sideline for a touchdown and a 14-7 advantage. USA had an opportunity to tie things up as the clock ticked down to halftime, but Chavez broke up and end zone pass intended for Geraci.

Both defenses started the second half again in clampdown form and on Mexico’s third possession, Deliah Autry-Jones intercepted Flores and returned the pick six and Krouch connected with Klam to tie the game at 14-14.

USA had an interception negated by a pass interference and Flores found Rangel to put Mexico back in front but a penalty against Mexico ruled out the extra point and the lead stood at six points. Then a final minute of drama unfolded as Mexico sealed a stunning win.