United States 2-1 Guatemala: Diego Luna doubles to help USA powers to Final

USMNT reaches the Gold Cup Finals for a record 14th time and their first appearance since 2021

2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

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Match Report

Diego Luna scored both goals as the United States beat Guatemala 2-1 in St Louis on Wednesday to reach the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The USA will meet with the winner of Wednesday's other semi-final, between Mexico and Honduras, in Sunday's final in Houston.

Luna, an exciting talent who plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, put the USA ahead in the 4th minute when a Luca de la Torre shot was parried out and the 21-year-old pounced to slot home.

The winger, who came up through the ranks of lower division football in Texas, then doubled the advantage in the 15th minute with a brilliant, individual goal.

Luna picked up the ball in space in midfield and dribbled goalwards, skipping a challenge before firing home from over 20 yards out.

Guatemala striker Rubio Rubin had an effort saved by USA keeper Matt Freese and then another disallowed for offside to the frustration of his team's large and noisy travelling support.

Sebastian Berhalter went close to a third just before the break with a free-kick which deflected off the wall and was well saved by Kenderson Navarro.

Mauricio Pochettino's USA, who came into the tournament on the back of a four-game losing streak, began to come under more and more pressure from a lively Guatemala after the interval.

That pressure intensified after the Central Americans scored in the 80th minute when Arquimides Ordonez dribbled into the box and 18-year-old Boston-born Olger Escobar fired home.

The home fans held their breath in stoppage time when Jose Morales drilled a low shot from the edge of the box and Freese did well get down and push the ball wide.

Line-ups

United States XI: Tim Ream, Adams, Luca de la Torre, Matt Freese, Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten, Patrick Agyemang

Subs: Walker Zimmerman, Matt Turner, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Brian White, John Tolkin, Brenden Aaronson, Nathan Harriel, Jack McGlynn, Paxten Aaronson, Quinn Sullivan, Damion Downs

Guatemala XI: José Carlos Pinto, Rubio Rubín, Nicolás Samayoa, Stheven Robles, José Morales, Óscar Santis, Pedro Altán, José Rosales, Aarón Herrera, Kenderson Navarro, Rudy Muñoz

Subs: Rodrigo Saravia, Luis Morán, José Ardón, Óscar Castellanos, Kevin Ramírez, Elmer Cardoza, Darwin Lom, Arquímides Ordóñez, Jonathan Franco, Carlos Aguilar, Erick Lemus, Olger Escobar