Football

Concacaf Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-Finals: Guatemala Enter Semis After Close Penalty Shootout Win Over Canada

Guatemala eliminated Canada from the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup on Monday morning, achieving a surprising victory in the quarterfinals after the teams ended regulation time in a 1-1 draw at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Jose Morales was the hero during the penalty shootout, securing a 6-5 win for Guatemala after Canadian centre back Luc de Fougerolles hit his attempt off the crossbar. The match was sent to penalties when Rubio Rubín powerfully headed in a cross from Oscar Santis past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in the 69th minute. At that point, Canada was down to ten men after Jacob Shaffelburg was ejected during first-half stoppage time. The Nashville SC winger received a second yellow card for a hard challenge near midfield.

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_José Morales
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

Teammates swarm Guatemala defender José Morales(16) after he scored on the last penalty kick to give their team the win in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Canada in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_José Morales
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Abbie Parr

Guatemala defender José Morales (16) celebrates with teammates after making the winning shot during a penalty kick shootout during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Canada in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Derek Cornelius
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

Canada defender Derek Cornelius, bottom, takes Guatemala forward Darwin Lom (14) off the ball in the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Tani Oluwaseyi
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Abbie Parr

Canada forward Tani Oluwaseyi, left, and Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera (7) battle for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Rubio Mendez
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Abbie Parr

Guatemala forward Rubio Mendez, left, and Canada defender Derek Cornelius, right, battle for possession of the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Nicolás Samayoa
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Abbie Parr

Guatemala defender Nicolás Samayoa (3) celebrates with teammates after defeating Canada in penalty kicks during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Jonathan David
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

Canada forward Jonathan David (10) scores against Guatemala goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro (12) on a penalty kick in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Rubio Mendez
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

Guatemala forward Rubio Mendez (9) controls the ball in front of Canada defender Luc De Fougerolles (15) in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Luc De Fougerolles
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Canada defender Luc De Fougerolles, front, and Guatemala midfielder Oscar Santis, top, battle for possession of the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final match Canada vs Guatemala in Minneapolis_Alistair Johnston
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 Quarter-final: Canada vs Guatemala | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Canada defender Alistair Johnston (2) and Guatemala forward Rubio Mendez (9) battle for possession of the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Minneapolis.

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