There was a major Gold Cup upset Sunday as one of the tournament's favorites went down in a penalty shootout
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Guatemala win in shootoutCanada, with 10 men, fall in quarterfinal roundUSMNT to take on Costa Rica in final quarterfinalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱ImagnWHAT HAPPENED?
MINNEAPOLIS – Guatemala are through to the Gold Cup semifinals after stunning Canada, 1-1 (6-5) in penalties at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday. It is one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history as Jesse Marsch's were one of the favorites for the tournament.
Canada took the lead midway through the first half, although it did come amid controversial circumstances. In the 27th minute, it was deemed that Guatemala fullback Aaron Herrera took down Tani Oluwaseyi, leading to a Jonathan David finish from the penalty spot that gave the Canadians a 1-0 advantage.
It certainly wasn't smooth sailing from there, though, as Canada went down a man just before halftime after Jacob Shaffelburg picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.
Guatemala attempted to pile on the pressure, largely to no avail, until finally breaking through in the 69th minute. A fantastic cross from Oscar Santis landed right on the head of Rubio Rubin, and the MLS veteran headed home to send a largely pro-Guatemala crowd wild. Canada held strong, though, ultimately playing their way into a penalty shootout.
Once there, Canada blinked first after each team took and made four shots. Cyle Larin was Canada's fifth taker, but fired his penalty straight into the hands of Guatemala goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro. Given the chance to win it for his side, though, Jose Carlos Pinto skied his spot kick, sending the shootout into the sixth round.
In Round seven, Luc De Fougerolles smashed his shot off the crossbar, giving Guatemala another chance to win it, which was taken by defender Jose Morales. They sealed a spot in the Gold Cup semifinals.
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Guatemala's win makes them the second team to advance to the semifinal on a shootout, both notable upsets. On Saturday, Honduras edged Panama in a shootout to book their own date with Mexico.
Now, Guatemala will await the winner of Sunday's U.S. men's national team's clash with Costa Rica, having taken down one of the powerhouses of this summer's Gold Cup.
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
With the win, Guatemala are through to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 1996, when they finished the tournament in fourth place. This is only the fourth time in 11 tournaments since that one that they'd reached the knockout rounds.
WHAT NEXT?
Guatemala will meet either Costa Rica or the USMNT on Wednesday in St. Louis, with the winner going on to play Honduras or Mexico in the Gold Cup finale in Houston on July 6.