PASADENA: Paul Aguilar ripped his volley into the far corner of Brad Guzan’s net in an instant, setting off a delirious celebration for the majority of the Rose Bowl crowd.

After four winless years in what has become an intense rivalry over the past two decades, Mexico had finally beaten the United States with a goal they’ll remember on both sides of the border.

Aguilar scored Mexico’s second goal of extra-time on a stunning volley in the 118th minute, and Mexico earned a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup with a 3-2 victory over the United States on Saturday night.

He beat Guzan with incredible speed after Raul Jimenez chipped the ball over his head and into the penalty area, putting a thrilling finish on the latest chapter of this rivalry at the iconic American stadium dominated by Mexican fans for their first victory against the US since they clinched the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final played at the same venue.

“A loss is always difficult to swallow, especially when there is a lot at stake,” US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

The US looked to have done enough to take the game to penalties, twice coming from behind to level the score on a night of high drama that saw three goals in extra-time after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Javier Hernandez fired Mexico into the lead after only 10 minutes when he latched on to a cross from Oribe Peralta, who was given space by a superb backheel from Raul Jimenez.

But Klinsmann’s men responded strongly to the early setback, swiftly marching back up the field to level within five minutes when defender Geoff Cameron struck with a diving header off a Michael Bradley free kick.

With a high-energy game tied after full time on an unseasonably hot evening, Peralta broke the deadlock in the 96th minute with a powerful right-footed shot but Bobby Wood dramatically evened it 12 minutes later for the Americans before Aguilar scored the decisive goal in breathtaking fashion.

“I feel very happy for everything that the boys did,” interim Mexico coach Richard Ferretti — who took the job on a temporary, unpaid basis following the sacking Miguel Herrera in July — said during a news conference. “I feel very happy for the boys and what we did together.”

Published in Dawn, October 12th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play