HOUSTON, Texas – Guatemala and Canada played to a scoreless draw in Group D of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
With the result, Guatemala are second in the group with four points, while Canada are third with two points going into Tuesday’s group stage finales.
The chances started with Canada GK Milan Borjan denying an attempt in the 20’ as Guatemala were hoping to get on the board from a right footed shot by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Canada’s Junior Hoilett nearly broke through in the 29’, but his attempt went just over the bar. Lucas Cavallini helped the attempt with a downwards header towards his teammate, but the Guatemalan defense did their best to pressure the forward.
Guatemala DF then Aaron Herrera had a good look from a free kick in the 38’ but was just centimeters off as his shot rebounded on the top left corner of the woodwork.
Guatemala came out aggressive in the second half, as Darwin Lom crossed in a dangerous ball to Carlos Mejia in the 46’ but the attempt was denied.
Jose Pinto had the crowd in the palm of his hands with a header in the 48’ but was just wide of the right post as the encounter continued in a deadlock.
Guatemala GK Nicholas Hagen interrupted a Canada cross in the 55’ to keep his clean sheet intact as both sides continued fighting for the three points.
Esteban Garcia, who came on as a substitute in the 66’, nearly sent the crowd into ecstasy in the 82’ as he lobbed the ball over the Canadian defense and hit a right footed shot just wide of the right post.
Antonio Lopez, another of the second half reinforcements, looked to have gotten the right placement on goal in the 89’, but Borjan came up with a pivotal save to snuff out the final chance of the night.
