Introduction
Canada won a big soccer game away from home. Canada beat Guatemala 3-2 on Friday, November 13. It was the first leg of a Nations League quarter-final. The Nations League is a tournament for teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. A quarter-final is a game with eight teams left. The winner moves on to the finals.
What Happened
Canada scored three goals in the first half. Tani Oluwaseyi scored in the 18th minute. Jonathan David set up the goal with a smart backheel pass. A backheel pass is a pass made with the heel of the foot. Liam Millar scored in the 28th minute. Jonathan David scored in the 45th minute plus 2 minutes of extra time. Tajon Buchanan set up that goal.
Guatemala fought back in the second half. Oscar Santis scored in the 54th minute. Canada’s Luc De Fougerolles then scored an own goal in the 90th minute plus 4 minutes. An own goal is when a player puts the ball in his own team’s net by mistake. The game was played at Estadio Manuel Felipe Carrera in Guatemala City. The stadium is also called Estadio El Trebol.
Canada also lost its captain early in the game. Alphonso Davies went down in the 5th minute. He slipped inside Canada’s box. The box is the area in front of the goal. He tried to keep playing, but he soon waved to come off. The team said it is a lower-body injury. Coach Jesse Marsch was also sent off in the 64th minute. He was shown a red card. A red card means a player or coach must leave the game.
Why People Are Talking About It
People are talking about this game for two big reasons. First, Canada won a hard away game. Canada scored three goals in the first half. Jonathan David was the star. He scored a goal and set up a goal. David has now scored a goal and set up a goal in four different Nations League games. That ties a record for Canada.
Second, people are worried about Alphonso Davies. Davies is Canada’s captain and best-known player. He plays for Bayern Munich in Germany. He missed most of the World Cup earlier this year with a hamstring injury. A hamstring is a muscle at the back of the leg. Fans hope this new injury is not serious. The coach being sent off also added drama to the game.
What Happens Next
Canada will host Guatemala for the second leg on Monday, November 16. The game is at BMO Field in Toronto. Canada leads 3-2, so a draw is enough to move on. A draw is when a game ends with the same score for both teams. The winner of the two games goes to the Nations League Finals in Los Angeles. The loser must play in the Gold Cup preliminary round. The team will also check on Davies and share news about his injury.
Final Thoughts
This was a good win for Canada. Winning away from home is never easy. The three first-half goals gave Canada a strong lead. But the win came at a cost. Davies left hurt, and Marsch was sent off. Canada must now finish the job at home in Toronto. Fans will watch the second leg with hope and a little worry.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sources: CBC: Canada beats Guatemala in Nations League quarterfinal opener but loses captain Davies to injury; Concacaf: Canada victorious over Guatemala in Nations League Quarterfinals First Leg