Guadeloupe defeated Cuba 4-1 in Day Two of the Gold Cup on Saturday night, while Canada suffered a sad 0-0 draw with Guatemala, leaving the Group D question open.
This victory puts Guadeloupe in first place with four points, the same as Guatemala but with a better goal difference. Canada is third with two units and Cuba is already eliminated with no points.
Qualifying for the quarterfinals of this tournament, which brings together the best Concacaf selections (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), will therefore be played on Wednesday evening during the Guadeloupe-Guatemala and Canada-Cuba games.
The three teams have their destiny in their hands. A draw or win would qualify Guadeloupe, while Guatemala needs to win to not depend on Canada’s result. The Canadians who took part in the last World Cup in Qatar must also win, by at least two goals in the event of a draw between Guadeloupe and Guatemala.
The Guadeloupeans shone against overwhelmed Cubans with a brace from Matthias Phaëton (13′, 43′) and goals from Ange-Freddy Plumain (41′) and Anthony Baron (50′). Baron’s goal, which knocked out three defenders with a dribble and a back-to-goal roulette before coming to the opener, will surely be in contention for the title of the tournament’s best goal.
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