There were mixed fortunes for our Fulham boys in the Gold Cup over the weekend.
Mexico progressed to the Semi-Finals, setting up a clash with Honduras, after beating Saudi Arabia 2-0. Raúl Jiménez provided an intelligent assist that unlocked the Saudi Arabia defence early in the second-half.
Receiving a bouncing ball with his back to goal, Raúl killed the ball with his chest and then flicked a pass with the outside of his right boot into the path of Alexis Vega, who finished past Luis Malagón at the second time of asking.
Raúl had been substituted by the time the lead was doubled, with Abdullah Madu unable to deal with a whipped cross from the left, putting the ball into his own net.
Canada’s tournament came to an end in heartbreaking fashion as Jesse Marsch’s side were beaten on penalties by Guatemala.
Defeated 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, Luc De Fougerolles played the whole game but saw his spot kick cannon off the crossbar during the shootout.
Jonathan David coolly gave Canada the lead when he rolled a penalty into the bottom corner after 30 minutes, but Jacob Shaffelburg’s red card on the stroke of half-time was a significant turning point.
The Guatemala pressure arrived in the second period, with Rubio Rubin’s bullet header forcing a penalty shootout.
With the scores 5-5 on penalties, De Fougerolles stepped up and rattled the upright, allowing José Morales to score the winning penalty.
Mexico will face Honduras on Thursday, with the USMNT taking on Guatemala in the other Semi-Final.
