USA vs Qatar
Another late goal gives the USA a 1-0 victory against Qatar last night at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Qatar missed a penalty which kept the teams level until Zardes broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, ensuring that the USA would advance to the Finals of the Gold Cup.
Qatar would dictate most of the first half. They were able to create a plethora of chances but could not finish. Their first chance came just seven minutes into the game when Almoez Ali found himself with an open shot from right outside the box but ended up missing the goal completely.
The USA started to take their chances in the second half, but once again it was Qatar who got the opportunity to score first. A penalty what called in the 61st minute after Qatar’s main player, Akram Afif, was brought down in the box. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos stepped up to take the spot kick but was unsure of himself as he hit the ball up and over the goal, giving the USA a very fortunate break.
After 86 minutes, the USA found themselves the game winning goal as forward Nicholas Gioacchini managed to control the ball inside the box and flick it to teammate Gyasi Zardes who came sliding in to tap the ball into the middle of the goal.
This win means that the USA is now in the Final, where they will play Mexico
Mexico vs. Canada
Stoppage time goal gave Mexico the 2-1 win over Canada last night at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. This game had everything from a controversial penalty, to a second penalty that was missed, and a last second winning goal.
The referee seemed to lose control of the game as there would be two skirmishes during the game, as well as a third fight that came after the final goal. In total there were 35 recorded fouls and 6 yellow cards, although there could have been many more cards and a potentially missed red card.
The first goal of the game was in favor of Mexico and came at the 47th minute (45+2’) when a controversial penalty was awarded. The debate was not whether there was any contact (which there was) but whether the play had ended before the contact. In my opinion the Mexico player has already kicked the ball too far and had therefore lost possession before the contact. But after looking at VAR, the referee thought otherwise and awarded the penalty. Striker Orbelín Pineda took the kick and froze the keeper as his passed the ball in the bottom right of the goal.
Canada would respond in the 57th minute when a long pass was played to winger Tajon Buchanan, who controlled in in the far-left corner, dribbled past one player in the box, and shot the ball across goal and into the right-side netting.
Just nine minutes later, a more clear and obvious penalty was called, again in favor of El Tri. This time, defender Carlos Salcedo wanted to take the kick, but placed it poorly and goalie Maxime Crépeau was able to dive and save it, keeping the Canadians alive.
At the stroke of 90 minutes, the referee decided that due to all the stoppage in the game, seven additional minutes were necessary, yet the winning goal came two minutes after the supposed 7 added minutes. It was in the 99th minute that miscommunication among the Canadian defenders allowed midfielder Héctor Herrera to take and open shot from just inside the box and curl the ball just left of the keeper and into the goal to win the game. However, as they were showing the replay of the goal, a fight broke out and lasted until the 104th minute when the referee finally whistled to end the game.
This win means the Mexico is now in the Final, where they will play the USA.
————————-
This Gold Cup Final is interesting for a couple of reasons. The first being that this will be the second Gold Cup Final in a row where the USA will take on El Tri. Last time Mexico won 1-0, so the US will be looking for revenge. The second reason is that earlier this summer, the two teams met in the CONCACAF Nations League Final where the USA won 3-2, so Mexico will try and make sure that the USA does not win two tournaments in a row.
Photo: Mexico and USA flags, from Shutterstock, made by Aritra Deb
