Gold Cup

USA clinch a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final after 2-1 victory over Guatemala: Highlights and goals

The United States secured a place in the long-awaited final of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup after defeating Guatemala 2-1 in the semifinal clash.

Updated on July 02, 2025 09:06PM EDT

**© Kyle Rivas/Getty Images** Diego Luna #10 of United States celebrates with teammates after scoring against Guatemala during the first half of the Gold Cup 2025 semifinal.

The USA booked their ticket to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis. With the victory, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will now compete for its eighth Gold Cup title in program history.

The Americans wasted no time setting the tone. Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, netting the fastest goal of this year’s tournament. Riding that early momentum, the USMNT doubled their lead in the 15th minute—again through Luna—putting them in full control heading into halftime.

But Guatemala refused to go quietly. Luis Fernando Tena’s team came out strong in the second half, applying sustained pressure and pushing for a comeback. Their efforts were rewarded in the 80th minute, when Olger Escobar cut the deficit in half. Despite a spirited final push, the Guatemalans were unable to find an equalizer.

With the win, the United States return to the Gold Cup final for the first time since 2021. They will face the winner of the second semifinal between Mexico and Honduras, with the championship match set for Sunday, July 13.

09:00PM

Thanks for joining us!

The USA are in a new Concacaf Gold Cup final and will play against the winnner of the matchup between Mexico vs Honduras.

08:59PM

END OF THE GAME! (2-1)

The USA clinch a spot for the final after a 2-1 victory over Guatemala!

08:56PM

90'+2- What a save by Freese! (2-1)

After a great shot from outside the box from Morales, Freese saved the USA to keep his team at the lead.

08:49PM

85'- Two modifications for the USA (2-1)

Max Arfsten and Patrick Agyemang leave the field to make way for Walker Zimmerman and Damion Downs.

08:45PM

79'- GOAAAAAL FOR GUATEMALA (2-1)

Olger Escobar cut distances at the scoreboard!

08:41PM

77'- Two substitutions for the USA (2-0)

Diego Luna and Tyler Adams leave the field to make way for John Tolkin Jack McGlynn.

08:33PM

69'- More modifications for Guatemala (2-0)

Rubio Rubin and Pedro Altan leave the field to make way for Darwin Leom and Arquimides Ordoñez.

08:30PM

64'- Three modifications for Guatemala (2-0)

Jose Rosales, Stheven Robles and Rudy Muñoz leave the field to make way for Olger Escobar, Oscar Castellanos and Jonathan Franco.

08:25PM

60'- What a save by Navarro! (2-0)

After a powerful header by Patrick Agyemang, Navarro saved Guatemala from conceding another goal against the USA.

08:22PM

57'- First substitution of the game (2-0

Brenden Aaronson enters the field to replace Luca De La Torre.

08:20PM

55'- Another yellow card for the USA (2-0)

Luca De La Torre is the third player to receive a yellow card for the USA.

08:15PM

50'- Yellow card for the USA (2-0)

Diego Luna received the second yellow card of his team.

08:13PM

48'- Second yellow card of the game (2-0)

Stheven Robles receives the second yellow card of the game.

08:09PM

The second half is underway! (2-0)

The game is on again!

07:54PM

HALFTIME! (2-0)

The game goes to halftime with the USA leading 2-0 over Guatemala, with both goals scored by Diego Luna.

07:52PM

45'- First yellow card of the game (2-0)

Chris Richards of the USA recevies the first yellow card of the game.

07:49PM

42'- Guatemala don't give up (2-0)

In the last 10', Guatemala had five attempts on target, while the USA had just one.

07:39PM

33'- Huge chance for Guatemala! (2-0)

After an excellent pass to Rubin, the forward sprinted toward the goal, but his shot was deflected out for a corner by Matt Freese.

07:35PM

28'- Guatemala score... but offside was given (2-0)

Rubio Rubin found the back of the net, but he was ruled offside.

07:32PM

25'- Guatemala closer to their fisrt goal (2-0)

After a great cross by Morales, Santis' header went just wide of the USA's goalpost.

07:23PM

16'- Guatemala try to cut distances (2-0)

Rosales tried with a shot from outside the box, but the ball went wide from USA's goal.

07:21PM

14'- GOAAAAAL FOR THE USA!! (2-0)

Diego Luna strikes again to give USA the lead in this semifinal!!

07:15PM

Early goal from Luna gives USA the lead! (1-0)

The goal scored by Luna, is the earliest goal of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup!

07:10PM

3'- GOAAAAAL FOR THE USA!! (1-0)

After a rebound given up by the goalkeeper following a shot from De La Torre, Diego Luna pounced on the loose ball inside the box and scored the opening goal of the match.

07:06PM

GAME ON! (0-0)

USA and Guatemala have kicked off the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal!

07:00PM

Both teams have taken the field!

USA and Guatemala are now lined up as the national anthems ring out across the Energizer Park.

06:40PM

Both teams are doing warm-up activities!

USA and Guatemala are doing warm-up activities on the field. The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal will begin at the Energizer Park in a few minutes!

06:20PM

A look back at their previous meetings

Historically, the United States and Guatemala have faced off 27 times, with the Americans holding a clear advantage in the all-time series. The USMNT has recorded 16 wins, while Guatemala has claimed victory on just five occasions. Six of the matchups have ended in a draw.

The most recent meeting between the two teams took place during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. In that match, the United States delivered a dominant performance on home soil, securing a 4-0 win to further solidify its historical edge in the rivalry.

06:05PM

Guatemala's lineup confirmed!

This will be Guatemala's starting XI: Kenderson Navarro; Aaron Herrera, Jose Pinto, Nicolas Samayoa, Jose Morales; Stheven Robles, Jose Rosales, Rudy Muñoz; Pedro Altan, Rubio Rubin, Oscar Santis.

05:53PM

United States' lineup confirmed!

This will be the USA's confirmed starting lineup: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten; Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre; Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter; Patrick Agyemang.

05:35PM

Today’s referee

Jamaican referee Oshane Anthony Nation has been appointed to officiate the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal between the United States and Guatemala.

Nation, 34, brings a wealth of international experience to the high-stakes clash. The veteran official has previously overseen major matches across the region, including finals in the Concacaf League and the 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The full officiating team for today's game:

Referee: Oshane Anthony Nation (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales (TTO)
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
Fourth Official: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)

05:15PM

Kick off time and how to watch

The clash between the USA and Guatemala for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals will kick off at 7:00 PM (ET).

Fubo will be the option to watch USA vs Guatemala in the USA. Fans can also catch the action on FS1, Univision, TUDN, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, ViX.

05:00PM

The USA and Guatemala clash in 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals

Welcome to our live blog of the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals!

The USA face Guatemala with a spot in the final on the line, as the USMNT enters as the heavy favorite while Guatemala look to pull off the unexpected.

Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates—you won’t want to miss a single moment of this thrilling showdown!

Gianni Taina

ALSO READ

gold cup

ALSO READ

gold cup