The Chelsea attacker scored the fifth and decisive goal of a thrilling encounter from the penalty spot with six minutes of the additional 30 remaining. Remarkably, there was still time for USA’s stand-in keeper Ethan Horvath to save a Mexican penalty and stop the final going to a shootout.

The final, held in Denver, Colorado, got off to a terrible start for the USA when Jesus Corona fired the Mexicans ahead with just a minute on the clock.

Mexico thought they had doubled their advantage midway through the first half, but a VAR-called offside denied them a second goal. Shortly afterwards a Pulisic corner was headed on to the post, with the rebound falling kindly for Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna to slam home.

1-1 was how it stayed until the final quarter-of-an-hour of an open and exciting showdown between two great footballing rivals.

Diego Lainez craftily fired Mexico back in front with 78 minutes played, but just four minutes later Weston McKennie headed the USA level for a second time.

It was Pulisic who was brought down for the crucial penalty early in the second half of extra-time, with VAR again needed to overturn the on-pitch referee’s initial decision. It was a big moment but Pulisic showed nerves of steel, superbly placing his penalty in the top right-hand corner.

Remarkably, there was time for more drama. VAR spotted a US handball inside the box and with the clock past 120 minutes, Andres Guardado had the chance to equalise from the spot, but Horvath guessed right.

The full-time whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration as a talented young American team celebrated their first major trophy together. For Pulisic, it was more fresh silverware after his Champions League triumph the previous weekend.

‘It’s been the perfect way to end the year,’ said Pulisic, who captained the US, afterwards.

‘I’m so proud of this group. We needed everyone and it was a phenomenal performance.’