Canada were held by Guatemala to a scoreless draw on Saturday and their qualification to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will come down to the final group game on Tuesday.
The draw was Canada's second of the tournament, leaving them with just two points heading into Tuesday's Group D finale against last-place Cuba. Only a win will do since Canada trail both Guatemala and Guadeloupe, who are on four points each ahead of their head-to-head.
Missing their top attacking stars, who were released following the CONCACAF Nations League, Canada again struggled to create enough dangerous scoring opportunities. A volley by Junior Hoilett in the first half and a point-blank shot from Jacob Shaffelburg in the second half were the only real chances to highlight.
In front of a pro-Guatemala crowd and hot conditions in Houston, Canada manager John Herdman made only one change to the starting lineup from the 2-2 draw against Guadeloupe, but the strategy didn't produced an improved result.
Guatemala looked the more likely to score in the second half, with their substitutions giving them a boost in attack. An Aaron Herrera free-kick that nipped the corner, and a Nathaniel-Mendez-Laing shot were their best chances, before an Antonio 'Chucho' Lopez curler was stopped by Canada 'keeper Milan Borjan in the final minute.
MORE: Updated 2023 Gold Cup bracket
Group D standings
Only the top two teams advance to the quarterfinals.
| Team | Pts | W-D-L | Goals Scored |
Goal Diff. |
| 1. Guadeloupe | 4 | 1-1-0 | 6 | +3 |
| 2. Guatemala | 4 | 1-1-0 | 1 | +1 |
| 3. Canada | 2 | 0-2-0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4. Cuba | 0 | 0-0-2 | 1 | -4 |
Canada vs Guatemala final score
| Final | Goal scorers | |
| Canada | 0 | — |
| Guatemala | 0 | — |
Lineups:
Canada starting lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 18-Borjan (GK) — 14-Bombito, 5-Vitoria (2-Brault-Guillard, 80'), 4-Miller — 22-Laryea, 20-Ahmed (8-Wotherspoon, 65'), 3-Fraser (15-McGraw, 46'), 21-Osorio, 11-Millar (13-Shaffelburg, 65') — 10-Hoilett (19-Brym, 65'), 9-Cavallini
Guatemala (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Hagen (GK) — 7-Herrera, 4-Pinto, 3-Samayoa, 2-Ardon — 17-Castellanos (15-Sequen, 81'), 8-Saravia (23-Aparicio, 81') — 18-Mendez-Laing (10-'Chucho' Lopez, 66'), 13-Galindo (5-Altan, 77'), 6-Mejia (19-Garcia, 66') — 14-Lom.
How Canada can qualify for the Gold Cup quarterfinals
The scenario is plain and simple for Canada: Les Rouges need to win against Cuba in Tuesday's group finale by as many goals as possible. A draw or loss would see them eliminated.
A win would lift Canada to five points, and that would be enough to go through as the second-place team if there's a winner in the other group match between Guatemala and Guadeloupe.
If Guatemala and Guadeloupe draw, there would be a three-way tie on five points. At that point goal difference (1st tiebreaker) and goals scored (2nd tiebreaker) would determine the two teams that will go through to the quarterfinals. And Canada could still finish top of the group in that scenario.
If Canada advance as the second-place team from Group D, they could face the USA in the quarterfinals, which would be the second time in a matter of weeks they would face the Americans in a knockout match. The USA beat Canada 2-0 to claim the CONCACAF Nations League title on June 18 with both nations fielding first-choice lineups.
Canada's attacking struggles down to lack of quality
Some Canadian fans will be disappointed that there weren't more lineup changes given the challenges that the team's attack faced against Guadeloupe. But manager John Herdman doesn't have many proven options to throw into a cauldron of Guatemala supporters on Saturday.
"[The players] were clear on the tactical blueprint. We got into key areas consistently. We miss the quality. It's just that lack of quality we're missing," Herdman said candidly.
"It's some good buildup — you see Ali Ahmed and Richie Laryea get into good areas, and Liam Millar and Jacob Shaffelburg —- but the cross is either a yard one way, a yard another, or it hits the defender. We hit 26 crosses tonight with an efficiency of four. That's something we have to work on."
Some of the other attacking options like Jacob Shaffelburg, Charles Brym, and attacking midfielder David Wotherspoon didn't do much to change the game when they came on as subs. So expect more of the same faces in the third match against Cuba.
"It's all up for grabs. That's the exciting things for Canadian fans," Herdman said. "We're coming to the last game of the tournament [of the group stage], we're not rotating players, and it's all on. It's all to play for."
Canada vs Guatemala live updates, highlights and commentary from Gold Cup
Final: Canada 0-0 Guatemala
90th min.: Five minutes of stoppage time.
89th min.: Chance Guatemala! Los Chapines use excellent technique to maneuver the ball in the Canada box and 'Chucho' Lopez gets the final shot off destined for the top corner, but Canada's Milan Borjan snags it.
Watch in USA:
82nd min.: Chance Guatemala. After both teams made subs, Guatemala's Esteban Garcia goes on a solo effort, with a rainbow move into the box and then as he was about to shoot, another defensive challenge threw him off. It would've been a great goal.
Watch in USA:
76th min.: Chance Canada! Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen comes off his line to challenge a wide-open Jacob Shaffelburg in the box, and he blocks the shot. The ball eventually gets to Canada's Zac McGraw who blasts a shot high.
71st min.: Hydration break. It happens as Moise Bombito gets treatment after his foot twisted awkwardly on a challenge. And so the fans entertain themselves with the wave in Houston.
65th min.: SUBS. Three changes for Canada and two for Guatemala. All the changes are made in attacking positions.
61st min.: Both teams have entered the other team's penalty area, but a combination of solid defending and indecisive finishing means neither team could capitalize. Subs are coming for both teams. Fresh legs are needed.
55th min.: The game seems to be opening up. It's been a back-and-forth start to the second half. It promises good action. There's a lot riding on this result.
47th min.: Chance Guatemala! Left winger Carlos Mejia just misses connecting with a Darwin Lom cross in the box. Great start to the half for Los Chapines.
46th min.: Second half underway. Zac McGraw enter for Liam Fraser, who was sitting on a yellow and was late to a few challenges. That will mean Moise Bombito moves into midfield and McGraw into the backline.
Halftime: Canada 0-0 Guatemala
Halftime: So far neither team is taking any risks, and neither has enough quality or ideas in attack to truly threaten. That will have to change in the second half, especially for Canada. But the main takeaway is that this is anyone's game.
If you were hoping to see Ali Ahmed (Canada) or Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Guatemala) produce encore performances after standing out in their first caps for their respective country, it hasn't happened.
38th min.: Guatemala chance! Aaron Herrera takes a free-kick and nips the top left corner of the Canada goal. Herrera is the right-back, but he's been at the heart of Guatemala's best attacks.
33rd min.: Missed chance for Guatemala. A corner kick finds Jose Ardon unmarked in the box, but Ardon closed his eyes as he was about to head the ball and he it bounces away. That service deserved better.
29th min.: Chance Canada! What a play by the Canadians. A cross and two headers set up Junior Hoilett in the middle of the box and he goes for the flying side volley, but he sends it high of the target.
Watch in USA:
26th min.: Hydration break. Both coaching staffs are using it to give instructions to their players.
23rd min.: Chance Canada. It's Liam Millar with a shot from outside the box, but it's right at Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who conceded the chance with a poor attempted pass.
20th min.: Chance Guatemala! A cross from La Bicolor's left-back reaches Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the right side of the box, and he fires it under a defender and on goal. Canada 'keeper Milan Borjan stops it. Best chance of the game so far.
Watch in USA:
15th min.: Canada's attacking buildup is elaborate, not quick enough and with no pace to the passes. Guatemala are content to defend with numbers, and seeking the fast transition, speeding things up when they get to the final third.
10th min.: Another YELLOW card to Canada's Kamal Miller. He takes down Guatemala forward Darwin Lom, who was running onto a wall pass from that man again: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
8th min.: YELLOW card to Canada's Liam Fraser, who takes down Guatemala's Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in reckless fashion, stopping a promising attack. Mendez-Laing was a major factor in his first cap against Cuba.
3rd min.: Regular start to this match. Guatemala get the first shot off, as left-back Jose Ardon's shot misses the target.
1st min.: We're underway. Canada kicks off. Guatemala in the dark blue kits with a light blue sash, while Canada are in all white.
Kickoff
5 mins kickoff: Teams are out on the field and anthems are up next. Guatemala went first, and it's notable that Mexican coach Luis Fernando Tena was also singing along.
The last time that these two teams met in the Gold Cup came in the 2007 quarterfinals with Canada winning 3-0 with a brace from Ali Gerba and a Guatemala own goal.
20 mins kickoff: Guadeloupe finished with a 4-1 win in the other group match, and they are in great position to advance with a +3 goal difference. Canada needs a win against Guatemala to continue to be in contention for the top spot. A point would still keep the Canadians alive.
30 mins kickoff: If there was any doubt that Guatemala would be the home team in Houston, here was their departure from the team hotel:
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are out.
1 hour, 30 mins to kickoff: Guadeloupe is applying pressure on Canada, winning 3-0 against Cuba at halftime.
It's not just the result, but it's the goal difference and total goals scored that will be the first tiebreakers in case teams are tied on points.
Guadeloupe face Guatemala on the final day, while Canada will likely need another win against Cuba to have a chance at winning the group. If Canada finish second in Group D, they will likely face the USA in the quarterfinals.
2 hours to kickoff: The Canadian men's national team would love nothing more than to give their compatriots back home something to celebrate on Canada Day, by leaping into first place in Group D and getting their Gold Cup run back on track.
Canada vs Guatemala lineups
Canada manager John Herdman gave debuts to five players in the opening match and two of those will start again: 22-year-old Ali Ahmed, who was the best player on the field against Guadeloupe, and Moise Bombito, who likely shifts from midfield to his natural center-back role.
Liam Fraser is the only new face in the lineup, with center-back Zac McGraw on the bench. A reminder that Canada is playing without several of its star players, who were released following the Nations League final.
Canada starting lineup (3-5-2): 18-Milan Borjan (GK) — 14-Moise Bombito, 5-Steven Vitoria, 4-Kamal Miller — 22-Richie Laryea, 20-Ali Ahmed, 3-Liam Fraser, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 11-Liam Millar — 10-Junior Hoilett, 9-Lucas Cavallini
Canada subs (12): 1-Dwayne St. Clair (GK), 16-Tom McGill (GK), 15-Zac McGraw, 6-Dominick Zator, 23-Scott Kennedy, 2-Zachary Brault-Guillard, 8-David Wotherspoon, 12-Victor Loturi, 19-Charles Brym, 7-Jayden Nelson, 13-Jacob Shaffelburg, 17-Jacen Russell-Rowe
The breakout star for Guatemala in the opening victory against Cuba was right winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing of Derby County, who once represented England's youth teams and provided the game-winning assist in his debut for La Bicolor. He even got a "Vamos Guateeee" from fellow Birmingham native Jack Grealish.
Mendez-Laing gets a second straight start as manager Luis Fernando Tena keeps the same lineup that beat Cuba. Starting center-forward Rubio Rubin came out after 10 minutes in that first match due to injury, and will be on the bench. Match-winning striker Darwin Lom, who came in for Rubin against Cuba, gets the start in his place.
Guatemala starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1-Nicholas Hagen (GK) — 7-Aaron Herrera, 4-Jose Pinto, 3-Nicolas Samayoa, 2-Jose Ardon — 17-Oscar Castellanos, 8-Rodrigo Saravia — 18-Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, 13-Alejandro 'El Parce' Galindo, 6-Carlos 'Cuilapa' Mejia — 14-Darwin Lom.
Guatemala subs (12): 12-Ricardo Jerez Jr. (GK), 21-Fredy Perez (GK), 20-Gerardo Gordillo, 16-Jose Morales, 23-Jorge Aparicio, 22-Stheven Robles, 15-Marlon Sequen, 10-Antonio Lopez, 5-Pedro Altan, 11-Cesar Archila, 19-Esteban Garcia, 9-Rubio Rubin
Canada vs Guatemala live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch the Canada vs. Guatemala match in Canada and the USA on Saturday, July 1 with kickoff set for 10 p.m. ET from Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
USA
- TV channel: FS1, Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, TUDN site/app
The match will be televised in the USA on FS1 (English) and Univision and TUDN (Spanish) with all three channels streaming on Fubo, which is available to new users on a free trial.
Subscribers to cable, satellite, or telco packages can use those authenticated credentials to access a live stream on the Fox Sports or TUDN site and app.
Canada
- TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
- Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app
The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.
It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in Canada
Canada vs Guatemala betting odds
Despite the results from the opening matches, Canada are still the favorites with Guatemala at 5-to-1 to win the game. Guatemala will also have home-field advantage in Houston between the crowd in the stands and the temperature in the high 80s Fahrenheit.
Given that a draw would be a positive result for Guatemala, and Canada's attack is far from full-strength, the total goals under could be an interesting look. The weather conditions could also impact sharpness under goal.
| Canada win |
Draw | Guatemala win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
CAN -0.5 |
GUA +0.5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) |
-190 | +300 | +500 | -105 / -135 | -120 / -120 | -210 | +140 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) |
1.50 | 4.20 | 6.20 | 1.87 / 1.73 | 1.82 / 1.95 | 1.50 | 2.55 |