Guatemala defeats Canada in PKs, advances to                          Gold Cup Semifinals

MINNEAPOLIS – The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup continued as Guatemala and Canada tied 1-1 in regular time, with Guatemala ultimately winning 6-5 in the penalty shoot-out to advance, in the Quarterfinals on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Óscar Santis had an early chance to give Guatemala the lead in the 7’, with a right-footed attempt from the center of the box that was denied by Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. 

Jonathan David converted from the penalty spot in the 30’ to give Canada the lead. David reached eight goals in eight appearances to extend his lead atop Canada’s all-time Gold Cup scoring charts. 

The Reds had to complete the remainder of the match with nine players after Jacob Shaffelburg was shown a red card in the 45’+4’.

Rubio Rubín equalized in the 69’, scoring with a thumping header to capitalize on a delivery from Santis from the left flank, saving Los Chapines from elimination and sending the match to penalties.

Guatemala books semifinal spot with dramatic penalty shootout win over Canada

Canada’s Promise David opened the shootout netting his attempt. Guatemala’s Santis responded by converting. 

The next three kickers from both sides were successful, with Daniel Jebbison, Derek Cornelius and Mathieu Choinière scoring for Canada, while Nicolás Samayoa, Aarón Herrera, Darwin Lom struck for Guatemala. 

Guatemala goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro denied Cyle Larin, before José Pinto’s attempt was wide of the mark. Nathan Saliba then converted for The Reds, followed by Pedro Altán for the Central Americans.

Luc de Fougerolles hit the crossbar on his attempt. José Morales stepped up and sealed Guatemala’s 6-5 victory from the spot, sending Los Chapines to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 1996.

Guatemala will face the winner of the matchup between United States and Costa Rica in Semifinals on Wednesday in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Post-Match Data 

Guatemala have reached their second Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final, their first since 1996, which they qualified for directly from the group stage. Guatemala had been eliminated in each of its previous four knockout round matches.

· Jonathan David scored his second goal of this Concacaf Gold Cup and is the second Canadian player to score at least two goals in two different editions of the tournament with six in 2019 and two in the current edition, joining Junior Hoilett, who scored two goals in both 2019 and 2021.

· Canada is just the fourth team since at least 2013 to avoid defeat (in regulation time) despite receiving a red card via a second yellow in the Concacaf Gold Cup, following

Jamaica vs. El Salvador (1W), Panama vs. Honduras (1D), and Guatemala vs. Mexico (1D), all in the 2015 edition.

· Jonathan David has a 50% conversion rate from the penalty spot with the Canadian national team across all competitions, scoring two and missing two including one goal and one miss in this 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup (excluding shootouts).

· Rubio Rubín is Guatemala’s all-time top scorer in the Concacaf Gold Cup with four goals two in this edition and two in 2023. He also leads all Guatemalan players in goal involvements in the tournament, with five totals.

· Guatemala did not allow Canada a single a shot on target in the second half; the first team to hold Canada without a shot on target in the second half of a Concacaf Gold Cup match since Haiti in 2019.