A stoppage-time equalizer forced the Canadian men's national team to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Concacaf Gold Cup matchup with Curaçao at Houston Dynamo FC's Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday.
The result denied Canada a win that would have secured advancement to the tournament quarterfinals, though they remain atop Group B ahead of their group-stage finale vs. El Salvador on Tuesday.
Nathan Saliba got Canada off to a fast start, finding the opener for Les Rouges inside the first 10 minutes. The CF Montréal midfielder pounced on an attempted clearance and converted a first-time shot to put Canada in the driver's seat.
Curaçao looked to have their leveler in the 66th minute off a clinical far-post finish from former FC Cincinnati striker Jürgen Locadia, only to see it waved off on Video Review on a narrow offside call – one of several near-misses for Curaçao in the second half.
They finally found their equalizing goal just before the final whistle off a breakaway finish from winger Jeremy Antonisse, forcing Canada to wait to punch their quarterfinal ticket.
- THE BIG PICTURE: It was a gut-punch ending for the Canadians, but a just reward for a Curaçao side that gave Les Rouges all they could handle down the stretch. The dropped points raise the stakes considerably for Tuesday's bout with El Salvador, so Canada will have to bounce back in short order.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It looked like Canada would escape with the 1-0 victory, but Antonisse's late goal made for a stunning finish.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Saliba is showing well for Canada so far in this Gold Cup, with his early opener accounting for his second tournament goal.
Next Up
- CAN: Tuesday, June 24 vs. El Salvador | 10 pm ET (FS1) | Concacaf Gold Cup
- CUR: Tuesday, June 24 vs. Honduras | 10 pm ET (FS2) | Concacaf Gold Cup
