First half red card sinks Canada in Gold Cup quarterfinal loss to Guatemala

It was all shaping up nicely for Canada through 45 minutes in their Golf Cup quarterfinal matchup against Guatemala today.

Unfortunately, a red card in first half injury time let Guatemala back into the match and Canada ended up losing a heartbreaker in penalty kicks to exit the tournament earlier than expected.

FT in penalties.

Fin du match aux tirs au but.

🇨🇦 🇬🇹 #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/jnuOw7oNoc

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 29, 2025

Canada looked strong to start the match and earned a penalty kick at the half hour mark, which Jonathan David converted impressively to give his side a 1-0 advantage.

It looked as though Canada would be in a great spot going into the half, but that changed quickly when Jacob Shaffelburg committed a bad foul in injury time.

Shaffelburg was shown his second yellow card, which meant the 25-year-old Nova Scotian was sent off with a red card and Canada would be forced to finish the match with 10 men.

RED CARD 🟥

Jacob Shaffelburg heads to the locker room after picking up a second yellow just before half-time 😳#CanMNT 🇨🇦 up 1-0 vs. Guatemala 🇬🇹 at the break pic.twitter.com/fYZYntrqV7

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 29, 2025

Guatemala equalized in the 69th minute courtesy of Rubio Rubin, as the Oregon-born striker got his head on a cross and redirected the ball past an outstretched Dayne St. Clair.

Although there were some nervous times for Canada, they managed to prevent another goal from Guatemala and were certainly relieved to hear the final whistle to signal penalty kicks.

Both teams were perfect through four rounds of the shootout, but a miss from Cyle Larin gave Guatemala a chance to win it with a goal.

PENALTY DRAMA 😱

Cyle Larin has his shot SAVED...

...but the Guatemala captain MISSES 😳#CanMNT get a lifeline pic.twitter.com/CqjkHipiT7

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 29, 2025

Guatemala captain Jose Pinto was unable to convert, however, giving Canada another life after sailing his attempt over the crossbar.

But Canada would falter again two rounds later.

Luc De Fougerolles, who missed a penalty kick in Canada's loss to the Ivory Coast on June 10, stepped up and failed to score again, firing a hard shot off the crossbar above keeper Alessandro Navarro.

It's over. 💔#CanMNT pic.twitter.com/372mLC9Qj6

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 29, 2025

Jose Morales would make no mistake, pounding a shot by St. Clair to send Guatemala into the Gold Cup semifinal for the first time in the country’s history.

To say it’s a disappointing loss for Canada might be an understatement, as the men’s national team had expectations of lifting the trophy in Houston next weekend.

Guatemala will now take on the winner of the final quarterfinal matchup between the United States and Costa Rica in Wednesday’s semifinal.