No. 1 Korean national team coach, semi-final miracle → Fall Gold Cup quarter-final loss in a year, shock loss to 103rd-ranked Guatemala

Jun 30, 2025

No. 1 Korean national team coach, semi-final miracle → Fall Gold Cup quarter-final loss in a year, shock loss to 103rd-ranked Guatemala



Jesse Machi's Canada is in shock.

Canada drew 1-1 against Guatemola in the quarterfinals of the 2025 North American Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Gold Cup at 5 a.m. on the 30th (Korea time), but was eliminated from the tournament after losing 5-6 in the penalty shootout.

Canada has faced a crisis since the beginning of the game. Canada did not predict Guatemala's instantaneous attack in the 8th minute of the first half. Canada faced a run-scoring crisis as they missed Rubio Robin. Canada overcame the crisis as Robin's shot hit the goalkeeper's hand and hit the post.
No. 1 Korean national team coach, semi-final miracle → Fall Gold Cup quarter-final loss in a year, shock loss to 103rd-ranked Guatemala
Canada, which adjusted the atmosphere again, pressured Guatemala and produced a result in the 27th minute of the first half. Tani Oluwasei won the penalty, and Jonathan David finished neatly. Canada got the win first.




However, a huge variable occurred in Canada at the end of the first half. Jacob Schaeffelberg, who had already been warned in the 40th minute of the first half, was sent off accumulated warnings. It was a stupid foul by Schaffelberg. The pass to Schaeffelberg from Canada's counterattack was extremely inaccurate. At this time, he received a second warning when he hit the body of the Guatemalan player who caught the ball.

Canada had no choice but to prepare for the second half nervously. Guatemala took the lead in the second half. Guatemala brought the game to square one in the 14th minute of the second half. Robin finished off Oscar Santis' fantastic cross with a nice header. Guatemala tried to come from behind, but neither team could take advantage of the opportunity until overtime.

It eventually led to a penalty shootout. Canada and Guatemola's No. 4 kickers all missed, leading to a thin ice match. The joys and sorrows were split at kicker number six. Guatemala, ranked 106th in the FIFA rankings, succeeded in making an extraordinary move to beat Canada, ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings.
No. 1 Korean national team coach, semi-final miracle → Fall Gold Cup quarter-final loss in a year, shock loss to 103rd-ranked Guatemala
Canada looked higher by ranking third in the 2021 Gold Cup, but it has not advanced to the fourth round of the 2025 Gold Cup following the 2023 tournament. The result is even more shocking because Canada made it to the semifinals in 2024 at the South American Football Confederation (COMEBOL) Copa America. At that time, praise continued for the coach, but the result forced public opinion to retreat.

In the past, coach Machi wrote a success story in Red Bull Salzburg as Hwang Hee-chan's teacher. He also experienced big leagues while leading RB Leipzig and Leeds United. After Jurgen Klinsmann was replaced a year ago, Machi became the first head coach of the next Korean national team. However, as the two sides failed to reach an agreement during the negotiations, the coach's trip to Korea was canceled. Since then, the coach has been in charge of Canada.
No. 1 Korean national team coach, semi-final miracle → Fall Gold Cup quarter-final loss in a year, shock loss to 103rd-ranked Guatemala
Jun 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Canada head coach Jesse Marsch reacts during the first half against El Salvador during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images




This article was translated by Naver AI translator.