The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup reached the semi-final stage this evening as regional giants the United States and Mexico looked to reach a highly-anticipated potential clash of rivals in the finals on Sunday.
In the wake of Canada’s upset loss against Guatemala, both outfits were on the hunt to avoid a similar fate when locking horns with the aforementioned Chapines and Honduras respectively.
Here is how all the action broke down across the night in St. Louis and Santa Clara.
Jiménez strikes to send Mexico through
Scorers: Jiménez 50′
Mexico continued their push to retain their Gold Cup crown after earning a narrow 1-0 win over Honduras to guarantee a date with the United States on Sunday.
It was all things Mexico early doors after El Tri were fully aware of the USMNT’s win over Guatemala, but a quick strike would not be on the cards before both benches would come together as tensions rose in the 15 minutes.
A late surge before the break would see Mexico come close to finding the opener three minutes from the half-time whistle through Marcel Ruiz, only for Catrachos shot-stopper Edrick Menjivar to deny him while El Tri off the scoresheet.
Star striker Raúl Jiménez was gifted an even bigger chance to break the deadlock in stoppage time after he was picked out in the box by Julián Araujo, but the Fulham-based forward would shockingly head wide when it was easier to hit the target.
But the football gods would give the veteran a chance to make amends five minutes after the restart, and the 34-year-old delivered when he was slid into the box by midfield starlet Gilberto Mora before he rifled low past Menjivar to bag his 42nd goal for El Tri.
Honduras would push late in a bid to send matters into extra-time in the wake of Mexico having a second pulled back for offside earlier, but the perennial tournament heavyweight would see off any late opposition to ultimately book their place in the final.
Luna shines as the US book passage to the final
Scorers: Luna 4′, 15′; Escobar 80′
Despite all the questions in recent months, the US Men’s National Team are one step away from achieving their requisite aim this summer after securing a 2-1 win over Guatemala.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men got off to a dream start after budding starlet Diego Luna pounced to slot home inside the opening four minutes after Luca De La Torre’s effort was parried into his path by Guatemala shot-stopper Kenderson Navarro.
Luna would complete his brace in the 15th minute with a sublime strike from range after receiving in space from Malik Tillman’s pass before leaving Navarro no chance low at his near post.
Chapines did have their chances across all the action this evening, and they would ultimately be rewarded in the 80th minute when CF Montréal youngster Olger Escobar pulled one back to set up a grandstand finish along the Mississippi after coming off the bench in the 65th minute.
The late strike – and four minutes of added time – would not be enough for Guatemala to push for another possible shock result, with the US holding on to claim a spot in the Gold Cup final on Sunday.
📸 PATRICK T. FALLON – AFP or licensors