2025 Gold Cup Quarterfinals: Penalty Filled Day

Guatemala Shocks Canada, While the USA Defeats the Ticos

The second Quarterfinals matchday doubleheader is now at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and two explosive games as the best of North America take on the best of Central America. A spot in the Semi-Finals is on the line. How did these games go?

CANADA 1(5:1(6 GUATEMALA IN 7 ROUNDS OF THE SHOOTOUT

Canada got on the board first as Tani Oluwasey was taken down inside the Guatemala area in the 27th minute. After VAR took a look from a different angle to confirm it, the penalty was allowed to be taken. Jonathan David converted it in the 30th minute.

But Canada got in trouble as Jacob Schaffelburg got double-yellowed for two reckless challenges. His first card came in the 40th minute at the far side touchline. Then, first half stoppage time, he crashed into the last defender and saw his second yellow, then red, as Canada went down to ten men.

Guatemala got the equalizer in the 69th minute. Oscar Santis was along the far side touchline when he crossed the ball toward the net. Rubio Rubin was at the right place to head the ball into the back of the net and level the score.

After a tremendous 90 minutes, this match went to a penalty shootout. Both sides traded penalties from the first round to the fourth. But in the fifth round, each side had a miss. Cyle Larin was stopped by the keeper, while Guatemala Captain Jose Pinto skied it over the crossbar.

Both teams converted in the sixth round, but in the seventh, it was Luc De Fougerolles who nailed the crossbar, and then Jose Morales converted the winning penalty to put Guatemala into the Semi-Finals.

USA 2(4:2(3 COSTA RICA IN 6 ROUNDS OF THE SHOOTOUT

The first real test for this young USA side was facing a Costa Rican team that looked tough and savvy with the ball. This type of team, if some of these players do get selected to play for next summer's World Cup, can be vital for their National Team careers.

Costa Rica got the first goal of the match in the 12th minute as Max Arfsten tackled an attacker inside the area while trying to get a loose ball. Francisco Calvo stepped up to take the spot kick and converted. Matt Freese almost stopped it, but just missed it off his fingertips.

In the 43rd minute, the USA got the equalizer. Arfsten was along the near side touchline and made a nice cross to the middle for Diego Luna. He settled the ball, turned around, took a shot that hit the defender, and the ball went in the net, inside the near post.

The second half got started with a bang, as the USA quickly took the lead in the 47th minute. As the USA brought the ball down the pitch, the pass went to Malik Tillman in the middle. He found Arfsten at the far side, cut toward the area, and then bent a nice shot passed Kaylor Navas and inside the back post.

Costa Rica found the equalizer in the 71st minute, and the Ticos moved the ball up the pitch along the far side. As the long shot was taken, Matt Freese made the save but left a rebound. Alonso Martinez picked up the loose ball and scored on his goalkeeper at NYCFC. If not for the backline ball watching, that rebound should've been cleared.

After the full 90 minutes were over, this match went straight to a shootout. Costa Rica went first. Both sides converted their penalties, but in the second round, Matt Freese stopped Juan Vargas, while Malik Tillman converted.

In the third round of the shootout. Costa Rica's Santiago van der Putten converted, but Sebastian Berhalter shot it over the crossbar. In the fourth round, both sides converted. In the last regulation round, both teams were stopped by the goalkeepers.

In the sixth round, Matt Freese came up huge as he made a big save on Andy Rojas, then Damian Downs got the chance for the winner, and he went to his left, while Navas went to the right for the winner.

This young side earned a gutty, gritty victory and booked their place in the Semi-Finals against Guatemala in St. Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday night, July 2nd.

2025 CONCACAF GOLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

USA Vs. GUATEMALA ST. LOUIS 7:00 PM EDT FOX SPORTS 1

MEXICO Vs. HONDURAS SANTA CLARA 10:00 PM EDT FOX SPORTS 1