Gold Cup 2025 Matchday 2 Recap

The 2025 Gold Cup is in the thick of its group stage. Two matchdays have come and gone. Half of the field for the knockout rounds is set with one group game to spare. Who are the nations moving on, who can still qualify for the quarterfinals in the final game, and who have been eliminated with one match still to go? Let’s take a look at Matchday 2 of this Gold Cup!

Gold Cup Group A

Costa Rica 2 – 1 Dominican Republic

In their first games, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic showed that they belonged as formidable sides in the Gold Cup. Costa Rica scored four to beat Suriname in a 4-3 shootout; the Dominican Republic hung with Mexico but fell 2-1. Matchday two showcased both nations’ quality.

The match began with a goal from the Dominican Republic inside the first 20 minutes, as they grabbed the game’s momentum. It looked like the Dominican Republic, in their first-ever Gold Cup, would take their first lead into halftime until Costa Rica won a penalty kick and converted it with a minute left in the first half.

Both the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica had chances to score the decisive goal in the second half, but with five minutes left in the game, neither had done so. Experience in these types of tournaments is funny; it favored Costa Rica, which knew how to make a late-game push. They scored in the final five minutes to secure a 2-1 win.

With the win, the Costa Ricans knew they would advance to the knockout rounds; the Dominican Republic’s second straight loss meant they would not be able to advance to the Quarterfinals.

Suriname 0 – 2 Mexico

Mexico has not looked like the defending champions for much of the Gold Cup so far. They barely won against the Dominican Republic in their first match. Suriname, on the other hand, was a few chances away from shocking Costa Rica in their first game, and they looked organized enough to give Mexico fits in matchday two.

This match showed that Mexico can sustain pressure, but they aren’t always decisive enough to score a goal. Suriname held Mexico scoreless in the first half despite Mexico controlling almost every metric of the game, which played a pivotal part in the match later on.

Suriname was trying to weather a storm for 90 minutes. It was a case of “bend, don’t break” mentality. This did not pay off, as Mexico could score twice seven minutes early in the second half. After those goals, the match was all but over, with Mexico winning 2-0.

Mexico knew the win meant they advanced to the Quarterfinals and knocked out Suriname in the process. The final matchday of Group A is a big one as Mexico and Costa Rica will battle to see who will win and who will be the group’s runners-up.

Group A Standings

1st: Mexico | 6 pts | +3 GD
2nd: Costa Rica | 6 pts | +2 GD
3rd: Dominican Republic | 0 pts | -2 GD
4th: Suriname | 0 pts | -3 GD

Gold Cup Group B

Curacao 1 – 1 Canada

The Giants of Concacaf, Canada, entered this Gold Cup with a 6-0 win over Honduras. Curacao did not have that same success, drawing 0-0 in their first game against El Salvador. Would we see more of the same in the second matchday for both teams?

For most of this game, the answer seemed to be a resounding yes. Canada scored in under 10 minutes to take the lead. They controlled the first 20 minutes of the match, but as the game went on, Curacao woke up. They picked their moments to exploit Canada, and it created chances. Curacao had the better expected goals in this game, at 0.93 to Canada’s 0.69.

This trend continued in the second half. Canada had moments of complete domination, and then Curacao looked to counterattack and create its own moments of momentum. It looked like Canada was going to weather the storm and get all three points, but Curacao found its goal in the fourth minute of nine added minutes of stoppage time. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

This is a big disappointment for Canada and a massive point for Curacao. It leaves things wide open in Group B heading into the final and decisive matchday! Who will make the Gold Cup quarterfinals?

Honduras – El Salvador

Honduras used to be a giant of the region, but they have fallen far off that; a 6-0 blowout to Canada confirmed that. El Salvador used to always be up for Gold Cup matches, but a 0-0 draw with Curacao showed that might not be the case in 2025. Could either take hold of the game on matchday two?

For most of this game, it was a normal Concacaf tie; a chippy affair with both nations treid to create chance but none were lethal. The momentum swung back and forth; El Salvador had the better chances early, but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. As things went Honduras’s way they were able to score about 10 minutes before haltime to take the lead.

The second half looked identically to the first. El Salvador kept most of the ball but had little to show for it. They produced seven shots, but only one was on target all game. Being down 1-0 at that time, they found it difficult to get back into things. Honduras put the final nail in the matches coffin by scoring a goal in second half stoppage time, winning 2-0.

A Hunduras win, coupled with Canada failing to win, meant that Group B is now wide open. There is a path for all four nations to advnace to the Gold Cup Quarterfinals from this grooup on the final matchday.

Group B Standings

1st: Canada | 4 pts | +6 GD
2nd: Honduras | 3 pt | GD
3rd: Curacao | 2 pt s| 0 GD
4th: El Salvador | 1 pt | -1 GD

Gold Cup Group C

Jamaica 2 – 1 Guadeloupe

This Gold Cup was supposed to be another tournament where Jamaica burst onto the scene as a dark horse favorite. Their loss in matchday one to Guatemala didn’t inspire that sentiment. Guadeloupe would always be underdogs in this competition, and a 5-2 opening game loss to the favorites to win Group C, Panama, proved that.

Both nations lost their first match and needed to show something on matchday two; surprisingly, Guadeloupe was more prepared to open this match. After 30 minutes of both nations feeling each other out, Guadeloupe scored the opening goal! This was a major warning shot across Jamaica’s bow, and before halftime, the Reggae Boyz scored an equalizer and the go-ahead goal, thanks to Leon Bailey!

The entire second half looked like the first 30 minutes of the first. Both nations had possession and chances to create shots, but neither could find the back of the net. It made for a tense final few minutes as both nations rushed back and forth, but this one would end 2-1 in favor of Jamaica.

Guadeloupe was knocked out of the 2025 Gold Cup with its second loss. Jamaica’s three points gave them everything to play for in their final group stage match. If Guatemala loses or draws its final game, a win or draw could be enough to advance.

Guatemala 0 – 1 Panama

The two teams in Group C that won their first matches of this Gold Cup, Guatemala and Panama, faced off for the chance to take a commanding lead heading into the final matchday. Would Panama be the favorites, or would surprise Guatamala make the most of this opportunity?

From the start of this game, it was clear that Panama is truly a giant of Concacaf. They held almost 70% of possession and controlled an advantage in every area, including shots, passes, expected goals, defense, duels, and even discipline. This paid off with a goal inside the first 20 minutes. Guatemala tried to break out of Panama’s hold after getting scored on, but failed to get their own goal.

After halftime, Panama came out refreshed and smothered Guatemala. They held the ball so much that Guatemala couldn’t even get a real chance to score. The Guatemalans only produced three shots, with one shot on target in the match; Panama suffocated them throughout this one and won 1-0.

Panama may have six points and a +4 goal differential, but they still haven’t punched their ticket to the quarterfinals. They’ll need at least a point in their final match against Jamaica to do that. Guatemala is still alive despite its loss to Panama; a win or draw against Guadeloupe, coupled with a Jamaica loss or draw against Panama, will help them advance to the Quarterfinals.

Group C Standings

1st: Panama | 6 pts | +4 GD
2nd: Jamaicia | 3 pts | 0 GD
3rd: Guatamala | 3 pts | 0 GD
4th: Guadeloupe | 0 pts | -4 GD

Gold Cup Group D

Trinidad & Tobago 1 – 1 Haiti

Group D at this Gold Cup is full of nations looking to show they belong with the “big boys.” Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago are those types of nations, and both suffered defeats in their first matches. This second game would be vital to their chances of survival in the group.

This match was a gritty one from the start, with each nation trying to play free-flowing soccer. A significant development occurred with no goals toward the end of the first half. Haiti received a Red Card in the 39th minute and would have to play the remaining 51 minutes a man down.

Surprisingly, the Haitians came out stronger to start the second half, finding the game’s opening goal in the 49th minute. They would have to try to hold onto a lead for over 40 minutes, and that proved to be something Haiti couldn’t do. T&T picked up the momentum of the match after going down a goal; they were up a man and made it count in the 68th minute when they tied the game. Trinidad & Tobago couldn’t go on a nd find the winner, and this one ended 1-1.

Both Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti ended matchday two still alive to make the knockout rounds; however, for either side to do so, they would need to win their final game in matchday three.

Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 USA

The USMNT came into the Gold Cup needing to get results on the pitch; a 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago put them on a good path. Guest nation, Saudi Arabia, also needed to bounce back after faltering in their World Cup qualifying; a 1-0 win over Haiti boosted them. Coming into matchday two, both nations knew a win meant a spot in the quarterfinals.

The USA and Saudi Arabia were without many of their star players thanks to the Club World Cup, or injuries/rehab. Saudi Arabia would stay compact to absorb pressure, but that was not the case for the USA. The US controlled the ball, looking to use width to create attacks; it didn’t work in the first half, but an interesting tactic would help them find the breakthrough in the second.

With the majority of possession, the US would drop a central midfielder deep between their center backs, allowing their outside backs to push forward and provide more depth for the team. Doing so won a free kick in the 63rd minute. The USA would then find the match’s only goal off that free kick. Late in the game, tempers flared as a “pushing match” occurred between players, and surprisingly, coaches too. That was the last action of this game as the USA won 1-0.

The win ensured the US’s place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Gold Cup. Saudi Arabia will need a win or a draw in their final match against Trinidad & Tobago to join the USA in the quarterfinals from Group D.

Group D Standings

1st: USA | 6 pts | +6 GD
2nd: Saudi Arabia | 3 pts | 0 GD
3rd: Haiti | 1 pt | -1 GD
4th: Trinidad & Tobago | 1 pt | -5 GD

A look at Matchday three

The final matchday at the 2025 Gold Cup sees some nations fighting for spots in the knockout rounds, while others already know their fate. Mexico, Costa Rica, and USA know they will be in the quarterfinals, but don’t know which side of the bracket they’ll be on. Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Curacao, Panama, Jamaica, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago are all still mathematically able to advance to the Gold Cup knockout rounds. The final matchday of the Gold Cup will provide fireworks to round out the quarterfinals!