The first matchday of the 2023 Gold Cup was full of thrilling close matches, and a few multigoal blowouts. In all four groups, there were shocking results! Let’s take a look back at the first matchday to see the results and the highlights!
A look back at Gold Cup Matchday 1
Group A
USA 1 – 1 Jamacia
The first match of this Gold Cup saw the reigning champions take on a side that is a dark horse to win this interaction of the tournament. Jamaica drew first blood with an early goal courtesy of centerback Damion Lowe, and it totally through the USMNT off guard.
As the match went on the USA was fighting to get a goal back. It wasn’t until the last few minutes if the match that they were able to equalize. Second-half-sub Brandon Vazquez scored in the 88th minute to secure a point for both nations.
Next, the USA takes on preliminary qualifier St. Kitts and Nevis, while Jamaica takes on Group leaders Trinidad and Tobago.
Highlights
Trinidad and Tobago 3 – 0 St. Kitts and Nevis
Trinidad and Tobago made the Group stage after taking the place of Nicaragua after they were disqualified for playing players who were not eligible for their national team. They faced off against preliminary qualifiers St. Kitts and Nevis. The match was close for about 40 minutes, then it broke open for T&T.
A goal just before halftime for Trinidad and Tobago opened the floodgates. Second-half goals in the 65th and 73rd minute were the icing on the cake. While St. Kitts and Nevis held their own for most of the first half, they were not able to get back into the match after going down a goal.
St. Kitts and Nevis will look to turn things around against the USA in matchday two; while Group leaders look to keep their momentum going against Jamacia.
Highlights
Group B
Haiti 2 – 1 Qatar
In a Gold Cup matchup of a nation looking to prove they belong with the best in Concacaf and a guest nation looking to prove they are a decent team faced off. Haiti and Qatar presented a thrilling matchup, with the guests scoring first. Qatar was up 1-0 after the first 20 minutes, but Haiti would not go down without a fight.
A goal just before the halftime whistle for Haiti notched the game at one. As the match went to halftime it looked like it would be anyone game in the second half. However, the game looked destined to be another Gold Cup Draw. Then, Haiti sprung to life in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time! They took the match 2-1.
Haiti moves on to take on mighty Mexico; Qatar will play the fading Honduras in matchday two!
Highlights
Mexico 4 – 0 Honduras
After failing in the Nations League, Mexico fired their coach and looked to the Gold Cup for a bounce back, and boy did they find it vs Honduras. Mexico scored in the first minute and added a second before the quarter-hour mark. Honduras was shocked and needed to find a way back into the match quickly.
Unfortunately, Honduras was not able to find any footing in the match. Mexico added two more goals to make for the most lopsided result of the first matchday; a 4-0 win.
Mexico will move on to take on Haiti to determine who will be top of Group B heading into the final match day, while Honduras will play Qatar in matchday two.
Highlights
Group C
El Salvador 1 – 2 Martinique
In a match between one of the top eight concacaf nations and a small fish, we saw one of the best upsets at this Gold Cup. El Salvador was looking to show that they should be counted as a Concacaf power, while Martinique looked to play the spoiler, and that is exactly what they did!
Martinique scored two goals almost out of nowhere! Both goals came six minutes apart, in the 11th and 16th minutes. El Salvador was rattled and had to fight for a goal throughout the rest of the game. If it was not for a 90+5 minute penalty conversion, El Salvador would have been shut out. Either way, Martinique was able to pull off a great upset!
Up next for Martinique is a tough Panama squad. El Salvador will take on another struggling Concacaf side Costa Rica.
Highlights
Costa Rica 1 – 2 Panama
It is going to be a vital Gold Cup for both Costa Rica and Panama. Both nations are always on the fringe of the Concacaf elite. This tournament is a time for them to showcase that they belong with the likes of the USA, Mexico, and Canada. In this match, one nation did just that.
While the scoreline may make this match seem like it was close it was really all Panama. They score inside the first quarter of an hour. They added a second goal in the second half to really put the game away. Costa Rica scored a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time to cut the deficit to one, but a loss is still a loss.
Next up Panama will battle Martinique to see who will be top of Group C; Costa Rica and El Salvador will battle to see who can get out of the basement of the group.
Highlights
Group D
Canada 2 – 2 Guadeloupe
Canada was a step away from winning the Concacaf Nations League. They were played off the field by the USA, and now they are turning to the Gold Cup to show they are a top team in the region. They took on preliminary qualifier Guadeloupe and played one of the most thrilling matches of matchday one.
Guadeloupe scored first just before the quarter-hour mark and held the lead into halftime. Canada found a way to equalize just after halftime and was able to go ahead thanks to a Guadeloupe own goal with 30 minutes to go. It looked like Canada was on its way to a win until a bit of misfortune struck them. An own goal in the 90+3 minute saw Guadeloupe equalize and get a draw!
Next up Canada takes on Group D leaders Guatemala; Guadeloupe will play last-place Cuba!
Highlights
Guatemala 1 – 0 Cuba
The final matchup of matchday one of the Gold Cup was between two small nations, Guatemala and Cuba. Both nations were hoping to show that they deserved to be among the bigger players in this tournament. This one could have gone either way.
It was a first half of both nations prodding their way to find the opener, but neither was able to do so. However, just as the second half started, there was a breakthrough for Guatemala. This would be the only goal of the game and a vital three points for Guatemala.
As the Gold Cup continues, Group leader Guatemala takes on the strong Canadian side, while Cuba takes on the surprising Guadelope side.
Highlights
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Mandatory Credit: AP Photo/David Banks, Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire, & AP Photo/John Locher.
