ST. LOUIS — Diego Luna scored twice within the first quarter-hour, and the United States held on to beat Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday evening to achieve its first Concacaf Gold Cup remaining since 2021.
Luna put the U.S. forward with a left-footed shot within the fourth minute, then scored along with his proper within the fifteenth for his third purpose in two video games.
Olger Escobar, an 18-year who was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, reduce inside and slid a shot from inside the realm between Matt Freese and the far put up within the eightieth for his second purpose of the match. Freese parried José Morales’ shot towards the far put up within the second minute of stoppage time.
The U.S. performs defending champion Mexico or Honduras for the title Sunday at Houston, the Individuals’ final aggressive match earlier than their World Cup opener subsequent June. Mexico has gained 9 Gold Cups, the U.S. seven and Canada one.
The Sixteenth-ranked Individuals superior to the Gold Cup remaining for the thirteenth time. All 5 losses in finals have been to Mexico.
No. 106 Guatemala, which has by no means reached the ultimate, outshot the U.S. 13-1 within the final half-hour of the primary half.
Luna bought his first purpose after Alex Freeman crossed for Malik Tillman. He touched the ball to Luca de la Torre, whose shot was spilled by goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro. Luna reacted rapidly and switched the ball from his proper foot to his left, then shot over Navarro’s outstretched proper hand.
Eleven minutes later, Luna acquired cross-field go from Tillman about 40 yards out, dribbled in, bought by defender José Carlos Pinto with a stepover and put the ball contained in the close to put up from the sting of the penalty space.
Guatemala’s starters included a pair of former U.S. gamers: 29-year-old ahead Rubio Rubin made seven appearances for the Individuals from 2014-18 earlier than switching in 2022 and 28-year-old defender Aaron Herrera made one in 2021 after which modified in 2023.
Rubin put the ball previous Freese within the twenty ninth minute, however the purpose was disallowed for offside. Freese made a kick save on Rubin within the thirty fourth.