Canada vs Cuba

Canada’s bid to reach the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stages is on the line as they meet whipping boys Cuba at the Shell Energy Stadium.

It’s been a frustrating Gold Cup campaign for Canada so far as they shared the spoils with Guatemala in a scoreless stalemate last time out following a goal-glutted 2-2 day-one draw against Guadalupe. Therefore, their hopes of making it out of the group stages for the fourth tournament running hinge on a result against section minnows Cuba. Stuck in third ahead of the final group matchday, John Herdman’s men trail the top-two sides by two points. Since goal difference could decide progression, provided the ‘Canucks’ live up to their tag as pre-match favorites, the Canadians must find their scoring touch. Despite going winless in three straight internationals in the build-up to this clash (D2, L1), they can draw confidence from beating Cuba in their last six H2Hs, including a 7-0 demolition in the previous Gold Cup edition.

On the other hand, Cuba might have suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Guadalupe last time out, but they had at least scored their first Gold Cup goal since 2015. However, after losing both opening Group D outings, they have nothing but pride left to play for here, so they’ll hope to break a five-game scoring duck against Canada. It may prove easier said than done, with the Cubans losing their last four internationals by an aggregate score of 10-1. That’s not to mention ‘Los Leones del Caribe’ have lost 15 consecutive encounters against North American rivals, netting just four goals while conceding 59 in return! But with two of Cuba’s three goals scored in 2023 coming before halftime, Pablo Elier Sanchez’s side could pose a threat from the get-go.