The CONCACAF Gold Cup Concacaf Gold Cup continues, with the surviving teams set to compete in the quarterfinals. The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) will face Canada in a tightly contested matchup that has the U.S. team looking to advance and capture another title as the reigning champions.
Canada survives to move forward
On Tuesday night, Canada triumphed over Cuba with an impressive 4-2 victory, earning their well-deserved place in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they will face rivals the United States.
In Harrison, New Jersey, Guatemala emerged victorious with a thrilling 3-2 win over Guadeloupe. This remarkable victory now sets them up for a clash against Jamaica in the opening quarterfinal match in Cincinnati on Sunday. Following this battle, the United States will face Canada in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Notably, it was Junior Hoilett who stole the show for Canada, successfully converting a penalty kick in the 21st minute. This penalty was due to a handball committed by Eduardo Hernandez while trying to intercept Hoilett's cross.
In the 26th minute, Jonathan Osorio found the back of the net thanks to a precise pass delivered by Lucas Cavallini. Jayden Nelson managed to secure a goal in the 47th minute, taking advantage of a rebound from Cavallini's shot. Liam Millar further extended the lead in the 61st minute, scoring an impressive header off a corner kick taken by Hoilett.
Cuba, a lower-ranked team at 166th place, managed to score a penalty kick through Luis Paradela in the latter part of the last quarter of the first half. Despite their efforts, Cuba faced defeat when Maikel Reyes scored a late goal in the 89th minute.
Group C was triumphantly conquered by Guatemala, who accumulated 116 points. Their impressive tally assured them of first place, as Canada followed closely behind in second place with five points. Meanwhile, Guadeloupe accumulated a respectable four points, leaving Cuba at the bottom of the group with a score of zero.
The USMNT has seven Gold Cup titles, good enough for second place behind Mexico, which has eight. Canada has one Gold Cup title.
LET THE SHOW BEGIN!
THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE GOLD CUP ARE NOW READY.
THE MOST STRIKING DUELS ARE USA VS. CAÑADA AND MEXICO VS. COSTA RICA.
WHO ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS 🤩.
📸: @GoldCup #GoldCup2023 #Mexico #USA #canada #Panama #Costarica pic.twitter.com/XpRjnqNNNJN
- The Sports Shot (@ElShotDeportivo) July 5, 2023
Mexico will face Costa Rica
Another upcoming Gold Cup quarterfinal awaits Mexico after completing Group B. Their opponent will be the Costa Rican team, who secured their place in the round of 16 by defeating Martinique without their star player. The venue for their match will be AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the game will take place on Saturday, July 8.
Despite qualifying with only one match remaining, the Mexican team pulled off a surprise victory in Qatar. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican team went on an impressive run, winning all three matches and securing a thrilling 6-4 victory that put them ahead of Martinique, claiming second place in Pool C. The victorious team from the round of 16 will face either the USMNT or Canada in the semifinals.
