MIAMI.- The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup field was winnowed from eight to four this weekend with plenty of drama and heart-pounding moments along the way.

Three of the four contests were decided by one goal, or in the case of the United States’ penalty shootout victory over Canada, even fewer with nothing to separate the North American rivals but kicks from the spot.

Here is a look back at three of the top moments from a weekend full of action:

Ismael Diaz’s flying hat trick in just nine minutes

Panama had an early advantage on Qatar but went into the halftime break hoping to build on MF Edgar Yoel Barcenas’ 19th-minute goal.

Ismael Diaz took it upon himself.

Diaz ran onto a pass from Adalberto Carrasquilla and sent home the second Panama goal in the 56th minute. In the 63rd minute, he added another, again using his right foot to finish, this time after a deflected shot fell to him in the box.

The hat trick was completed in the 65th minute. Diaz started the move himself, passing to FW Jose Fajardo at the top of the box and starting a run. Fajardo fed him back the ball, and Diaz finished past the Qatar keeper for his third goal in nine minutes.

It was the quickest three goals scored in succession in a Gold Cup, with Diaz besting Haiti FW Frantzdy Pierrot, who scored three goals in 11 minutes against Bermuda in the Prelims in the 2021 tournament, and legendary Mexico FW Zague, who needed the same amount of time to get three goals against Martinique in the 1993 Gold Cup group stage.



Andre Blake builds a wall to push Jamaica to the semis

With Jamaica seeking a return to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 2019, it needed a big effort against a Guatemala team inspired by the crowd rooting them on at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

A goal from Jamaica DF Amari’i Bell in the 51st minute set up by Demarai Gray meant the Reggae Boyz were into the lead, but the work was hardly done.

After conceding, Guatemala chased after the equalizing goal, putting Jamaica GK Andre Blake to work as he looked to protect the lead. Blake had to get down to stop an effort from Guatemala MF Carlos Mejia in the 57th minute after a Chapin counter-attack, a minute later he had to keep out a shot from distance fired in by Guatemala DF Aaron Herrera, and perhaps his best effort was in the 79th minute when Mejia set up MF Alejandro Galindo with a header at point-blank range that Blake was able to repel.

The Jamaican shot-stopper ended up with six saves made during the match, keeping the clean sheet and putting his country just two steps from a first-ever Gold Cup trophy.

Electrifying USA-Canada clash sees Turner emerge as hero

Both teams scored late in regulation. Both teams scored in extra time. The match would have to be settled from the spot, and United States GK Matt Turner knew it was his moment to shine.

Already with a penalty save to his name in the tournament-opening contest with Jamaica, Turner stood on his line for the first penalty, stopping a shot down the middle from Canada DF Steven Vitoria. It was their second showdown, with Vitoria having converted the first one in second half stoppage time.

Turner wasn’t done. Canada MF Liam Fraser stepped up to take the second kick and booted a right-footed effort on goal. Turner leapt to his left and used both hands to deflect the shot and keep it out, allowing his kick takers to get the upper-hand and set up a must-make kick on Canada’s fifth.

That final kick hit Turner’s crossbar, and the celebrations began.

More electrifying, thrilling and emotional moments await fans in the semifinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup, which will take place in a Wednesday doubleheader. The United States meets Panama in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium before Mexico and Jamaica square off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.