Canada Eliminated by Guatemala in Gold Cup Quarterfinal Penalties

Canada was eliminated from the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw with Guatemala that ended in a 6-5 penalty shootout loss. Jonathan David gave Canada the lead with a penalty in the 30th minute, but the team was reduced to 10 men when Jacob Shaffelburg received a red card just before halftime, which shifted momentum to Guatemala. Rubio Rubin, a former U.S. international now representing Guatemala, scored the equalizer in the 69th minute. The penalty shootout was closely contested until Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles missed his shot, allowing José Morales to score the winning penalty for Guatemala, sending them to their first Gold Cup semifinal since 1996. Despite the loss, Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch highlighted the tournament as an opportunity to develop younger players like Niko Sigur, Nathan Saliba, and de Fougerolles for the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Guatemala’s victory marks a historic achievement for the 106th-ranked nation, as they advance to face the winner of the upcoming U.S. versus Costa Rica semifinal.