- USA beat Costa Rica on penalties after 2:2 in regular time
- Guatemala stunned Canada with a 1:1 draw and shootout win
- Both semi-finals will be played on July 2, final on July 6 in Houston
Key Takeaways:
The United States and Guatemala completed the semi-final line-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Host nation USA eliminated Costa Rica in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout, following a 2:2 draw in regular time. Also on penalties, but after a 1:1 draw in the first 90 minutes, underdogs Guatemala knocked out tournament favourites Canada.
What a day 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RA0SaJ7UVe
— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) June 30, 2025
A decisive penalty by Damien Downs and three saves by goalkeeper Matt Freese proved key for the USA. Freese stopped shots from Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo, and Andy Rojas, prompting US head coach Mauricio Pochettino to speak enthusiastically after the match: “We showed incredible character, the boys are growing from game to game.”
Freese, who plays for New York City FC in the MLS, revealed his secret: “I’ve been watching penalty shootouts from Costa Rica and other teams all week. Even during the flight to Minneapolis, I was studying nothing but that.”
The USA qualified for their 17th semi-final in 18 editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and have now won 13 consecutive penalty shootouts. Their last loss in a shootout came in 2000 against Colombia.
Costa Rica were the highest-ranked FIFA team that the USA faced in the tournament so far – 54th in the world. The Costa Ricans opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a penalty converted by Francisco Calvo. Malik Tillman then missed a penalty in the 37th minute, but Diego Luna equalised in the 43rd, and Maximilian Arfsten turned the match around in the 47th. In the 71st minute, Alonso Martinez levelled the score at 2:2 after receiving a pass from Carlos Mora.
In the shootout, Costa Rica’s veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved attempts by Sebastian Berhalter and John Tolkin, but Calvo also missed, leading to the sixth-round penalties where the USA prevailed.
Even more penalties were needed in the other quarter-final between Guatemala and Canada, which also ended 1:1 in regular time. Jose Morales secured Guatemala’s win with the seventh attempt of the shootout. The first four penalties for each team were converted. On Canada’s fifth, goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro saved Kyle Larin’s shot, and then Jose Pinto fired over the bar. Both teams scored their sixth attempts before Luke de Fouheiores hit the post on Canada’s seventh.
Canada had taken the lead through a 30th-minute penalty from Jonathan David, while Guatemala equalised in the 69th minute via Rubio Rubin after gaining a man advantage. Canada’s Jacob Shaffelburg was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Steven Robles.
Both semi-finals will be played on July 2. USA will face Guatemala in St. Louis, while Mexico take on Honduras in Santa Clara, California. The final will be held on July 6 in Houston.