Canada's CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match against Guatemala took an unexpected turn when midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg received a second yellow card and was ejected from the game. The incident occurred in the late stages of the first half, leaving the Canadian squad to play with only 10 men for the entirety of the second half.
The match, held on June 29, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, saw Canada as the favorite heading into the quarterfinal. Shaffelburg's first yellow card came earlier in the first half. The second yellow, which resulted in the automatic red card and ejection, was given in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The specific foul that led to the second yellow card has been described as a "bad foul".
Prior to the ejection, the game was unfolding with Canada in the lead. Jonathan David successfully converted a penalty kick in the 30th minute, putting Canada ahead 1-0. However, Guatemala responded with a goal from Rubio Rubin to level the score.
The Canadian team, coached by Jesse Marsch, entered the match with high expectations, having won their group stage for the first time since 2009. With key players like Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan, Canada aimed to secure their first trophy in 25 years. The ejection of Shaffelburg presented a significant challenge to these aspirations, forcing the team to adjust their strategy for the second half. Daniel Jebbison replaced Tajon Buchanan in the 58th minute.
Playing with a man down for an extended period in a crucial knockout stage match requires significant tactical adjustments and resilience. Despite the disadvantage, Canada sought to maintain their composure and continue pressing for a victory against a Guatemala side riding high on confidence after a strong Group C performance.
The match was broadcast on FS1 with live streaming available on Fubo. Soccer fans can follow the live scores and real-time updates on platforms like Sofascore, where key match statistics such as ball possession, shots, and cards are tracked.
