LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals produced two thrilling matches in which the winning goal in each encounter was found in the late stages. Those moments and more made for a semifinal round to remember.
Here are the five moments that stood out the most:
Turner turns away Qatar
The 2021 Gold Cup has seen its fair share of top goalkeeping performances, and United States GK Matt Turner put his name among that elite list with his display in the 1-0 win against Qatar. The New England Revolution man made two superb saves in a three-minute span during the first half that won’t soon be forgotten. In the 19’, he somehow reacted quickly enough to tip away a deflected Almoez Ali shot that looked destined for the back of the net. Then in the 21’ he somehow kept Abdelaziz Hatem from scoring with a block from just a few yards out. For Turner, it was his fourth clean sheet of the tournament.
Berhalter’s savvy subs
U.S. Head Coach Gregg Berhalter made all the right moves on Thursday when his team was stuck in a 0-0 deadlock with Qatar in the second half. In hopes of a spark, Berhalter turned to his bench, bringing on FWs Nicholas Gioacchini and Gyasi Zardes. Instead, Berhalter got a bonfire of attacking production from the duo, as some slick playmaking from Gioacchini ended with an assist on Zardes’ game-winning finish.
A touch of magic from Buchanan
Tajon Buchanan has been a sensation in Concacaf in 2021. After notching a pair of goals for Canada in the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, Buchanan brought his attacking skills to Canada’s senior men’s team and delivered a sparkling Gold Cup. The 22-year-old attacker started all five matches for Canada and became the first player to score against Mexico in the tournament, with a sensational solo effort by beating Mexico DF Carlos Salcedo with a move before a class finish past GK Alfredo Talavera in the second half of Canada’s narrow 2-1 loss to Mexico. It was also Buchanan’s first international goal at the senior level.
Crepeau’s clutch stop
Things were on a knife’s edge for most of the second half of the Mexico-Canada semifinal and Canada GK Maxime Crepeau provided one of the biggest clutch plays of the tournament. A penalty earned by Mexico midway through the second half with the score tied at 1-1 saw Crepeau match wits with Salcedo. In the end, the mental game was won by Crepeau, who made a diving stop to his right to deny Salcedo and keep things level for the moment.
Herrera’s heroics
A fantastic night of football in Concacaf was capped in the most thrilling way possible, with a last-minute winning goal. Mexico MF Hector Herrera was the hero for El Tricolor, taking a Rodolfo Pizarro cross and beating Crepeau with a composed finish in the 90+9’ to send Mexico to the Final in epic fashion.
