Canada 1 – Guatemala 1 (5-6 after pens)
June 29 – The Canadian fans were taking their boycott of Donald Trump’s immigration policies to heart at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as the lack of red flags was in stark contrast to the blue and white festival that Guatemala brought to the Concacaf quarter-final tie in an epic contest that would be settled by Guatemala with the drama of penalty kicks.
Canadian boss, Jesse Marsch made two changes to the side that beat El Salvador, bringing on Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi for Mathieu Choinière and Promise David. His opposite number, Luis Fernando Tena, made four changes with Alessandro Navarro, José Morales, Stheven Robles, and Óscar Santis coming in for Nicholas Hagen, José Ardón, Óscar Castellanos, and Erik Lemus.
While it was a humid 80 degrees outside the stadium, the air-conditioned venue was somewhat chilly, leading to a frantic opening ten minutes with both sides pushed on by a cracking atmosphere created by the Los Chapines faithful.
In the 6th minute, Canada had the first good look at goal, and Tajon Buchanan would’ve been disappointed that his wide-open shot found row Z instead of the top corner of Alessandro Navarro’s net.
Back came Guatemala, and Óscar Santis’ cheeky backheel almost fooled Dayne St. Clair, who managed to palm the ball off the post and away.
On 13 minutes, Tani Oluwaseyi leapt highest and planted a goal-bound header that José Pinto brilliantly headed off the line and over the bar. However, the warning signs were piling up for Guatemala.
Oluwaseyi was again the danger man, and feeling contact from Aarón Herrera in the box, he went down. It looked soft, but Costa Rican referee Keylor Herrera had no doubt and pointed to the spot without the need of a VAR review. Jonathan David made no mistake.
The tone of the game had been set: Canada’s patterns versus the improvisation of Guatemala. However, that would all change with basically the last kick of an absorbing first half when Jason Shaffelburg needlessly picked up his second yellow card after fouling Stheven Robles, reducing Les Rouges to 10 men.
Marsch wasn’t happy. However, he’d been unhappy all game, especially after a flashpoint involving Alistair Johnston and the spiky José Morales. The Canadian boss would have to remain on best behaviour, or another ban would be looming. Time for plan B, perhaps?
Guatemalan boss Fernando Tena would need his own blueprints to get back into a contest where they’d rarely troubled St. Clair in the Canadian goal. On 53 minutes, Santis had an open look but blasted too high.
Three minutes later, another Marsch flare-up occurred as Richie Laryea was aggressively fouled. However, the touchline antics seemed to benefit Guatemala and their fans.
You could feel the crowd start changing the momentum of the game with their passion, pride, and unbridled desire to see their heroes succeed. It was humanity at its best, creating power from nothing but voices and will.
In the 68th minute, the eruption that was necessary happened. Santis, who had been Los Chapines’ most effective attacker, played in a cross that was begging to be met with a flying header. Rubio obliged, and we were all square: 1-1.
Guatemala had found their spirit and started channelling their first group game against Jamaica, where they went face-to-face with the Reggae Boyz.
When watching a great encounter, sometimes 90 minutes just isn’t enough, and you want more. Today we would get more, as the beauty of knockout tournament play is that there must be a winner. When Herrera signaled for full time after seven additional pulsating minutes, we would be treated to the drama of penalty kicks.
Forget patterns versus inspiration—now it would be all about BOTTLE!
Penalty Shootout
Canada: Promise David with a long, slow approach and smashed into the net. 1-0
Guatemala: Óscar Santis buried in the bottom left and smashed the camera. 1-1
Canada: Daniel Jebbison goes for power… Navarro gets a hand but can’t keep it out. 2-1
Guatemala: Nicolás Samayoa sends St. Clair the wrong way. 2-2
Canada: Derek Cornelius takes his time and sends Navarro the wrong way. 3-2
Guatemala: Aarón Herrera finds the absolute top corner. 3-3
Canada: Mathieu Choinière with nerves of steel goes down the middle. 4-3
Guatemala: Darwin Lom with an even bigger set of nerves sits down St. Clair and hits a panenka mere inches from the Canadian keeper. 4-4
Canada: Cyle Larin with a very poor kick that is easily gobbled up by Navarro. 4-4
Guatemala: José Pinto to win it, but the pressure is too much, and he skies it miles over the bar. 4-4
Sudden Death
Canada: Nathan-Dylan Saliba shows everyone what a top-class penalty looks like, hitting it high and into the side netting. 5-4
Guatemala: Pedro Altán to keep the tie alive, and he makes no mistake. 5-5
Canada: Luc De Fougerolles goes for power and watches in horror as it smashes off the crossbar. 5-5
Guatemala: José Morales steps up to win it for Los Chapines and doesn’t stand on ceremony. He goes for power to send Guatemala into the semifinals… cue delirium. 5-6
A penalty shootout is so final. A kick or a save, and it’s over. Guatemala held their nerve… just. The red card for Shaffelburg was crucial, but even more important was the driving nature of the crowd. Can they bring this energy to St. Louis and the semifinal? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Meanwhile, Canada will go back north, and question marks will surround Marsch and his ‘golden generation’, who might just be feeling the shine coming off them.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1751264844labto1751264844ofdlr1751264844owedi1751264844sni@o1751264844fni1751264844