Canada’s Gold Cup Dream Ends in Dramatic Penalty Loss to Guatemala
What a night it was in Minneapolis—truly one for the books, though not in the way Canadian soccer fans had hoped. The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal clash between Canada and Guatemala turned into a tense, emotional rollercoaster that ultimately saw Canada crash out in heartbreaking fashion.
Let’s set the scene. It was Sunday, June 29, and the U.S. Bank Stadium was buzzing with anticipation. Canada, carrying high hopes and momentum, looked to punch their ticket to the semifinals. The match began on even footing, with both teams testing each other’s defenses early on. But the real turning point came just before halftime when Canadian midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg picked up a second yellow card—an unfortunate and costly moment. His first came in the 40th minute for a reckless tackle, and just minutes later, a second mistimed challenge on Steven Robles sealed his fate. Shaffelburg was sent off, leaving Canada to battle the rest of the match with just ten men.
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Despite being a man down, Canada initially held their ground. Dayne St. Clair was solid between the posts, making key saves to keep Guatemala at bay. Canada even managed to keep the game level until the 69th minute, when Guatemala’s Rubio Rubin made the most of their advantage. Rising high for a cross, Rubin sent a powerful header past St. Clair to equalize the score at 1-1.
That’s where it stayed through the final whistle and extra time. Then came penalties—a lottery that so often favors the bold. This time, it was Guatemala who held their nerve. Jose Morales calmly slotted home the winning penalty after Canada’s Luc De Fougerolles failed to convert. The shootout ended 6-5 in favor of Guatemala, triggering wild celebrations from their supporters and heartbreak for Les Rouges.
This loss marks another frustrating chapter in Canada’s international tournament journey. It’s especially disheartening considering how hard they fought—even down a man—for most of the game. Shaffelburg’s red card will be a sore spot, not just because it left the team vulnerable, but because it was his first career sending-off, and it came at such a critical moment.
Now, Guatemala moves on to face the United States in the semifinal at Energizer Park in St. Louis on July 2, while Mexico and Honduras clash at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The winners will meet in the Gold Cup Final on July 6 in Houston, Texas.
As for Canada, the road ends here. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but also a moment to reflect, regroup, and come back stronger. The Gold Cup has always been full of surprises, and this match was no exception.
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