Diego Luna propelled the USMNT to a commanding lead against Guatemala in their Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal clash, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes. The young midfielder's quick-fire brace showcased his talent and put the Americans in a strong position early in the match.
Luna's first goal came just four minutes into the game, as he fired a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the center of the goal. The early strike set the tone for the USMNT and sent a clear message to their opponents.
Just 11 minutes later, Luna struck again, this time with a right-footed shot from outside the box that found the bottom left corner. Malik Tillman provided the assist for Luna's second goal, highlighting the teamwork and attacking prowess of the USMNT.
The USMNT entered the semifinalmatch against Guatemala with a strong historical record against the Central American nation, holding a 16-5-6 advantage in their 27 previous encounters. The United States had also won their last three Gold Cup matches against Guatemala. The last time these two teams met in the Gold Cup was over two decades ago in 2007, with the USMNT securing a 1-0 victory.
Guatemala, considered underdogs in the tournament, reached the semifinals for the first time since 1996. They had a dramatic quarterfinal win against Canada, prevailing 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Rubio Rubín, who previously represented the United States at the senior level, scored Guatemala's equalizing goal in that match.
The USMNT also had a tough quarterfinal match, overcoming Costa Rica in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored the goals for the United States in regulation time. Goalkeeper Matt Freese made three crucial saves in the shootout, and Damion Downs netted the decisive penalty.
The winner of the USMNT-Guatemala semifinal will advance to the Concacaf Gold Cup final. The USMNT has a rich history in the tournament, reaching the semifinals in 17 of 18 editions and aiming for their 11th title match. Guatemala, on the other hand, is seeking their first-ever appearance in the Gold Cup final.
