Canada vs Cuba score, result as Les Rouges advance to CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals vs USA

Simon Borg

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Canada vs Cuba score, result as Les Rouges advance to CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals vs USA image

It's mission accomplished for Canada's men's national team which advanced to the 2023 Gold Cup quarterfinals thanks to a 4-2 win over Cuba in their group stage finale. Next up is a rematch against the USA on Sunday, July 9 in Cincinnati, just a few weeks after the Americans beat Canada in the Nations League final.

Canada (5 points) advanced as the Group D runner-up after Guatemala (7 points) beat Guadeloupe (4 points) in the other group finale which unfolded simultaneously in New Jersey. Guatemala will meet Jamaica in another Gold Cup quarterfinal to be held in Cincinnati.

The Canadians took full advantage of several Cuba errors to take a three-goal lead, before making several subs to see out the result.

A Junior Hoilett penalty (on a Cuba handball), a Jonathan Osorio tap-in (on a Cuba giveaway), a Jayden Nelson tally (on a ball spilled by Cuba's backup 'keeper), and a first international goal for Liam Millar (on a whiff by Cuba's third-string 'keeper who was just subbed into the match) accounted for the four Canada goals.

A short-handed Cuba side scored on two penalties to make the score somewhat respectable. The Cuban coach decided to rest two of his best players and ensure every member of his squad saw minutes, but it was arguably counterproductive in this match. Cuba finished last, losing all three of its matches.

MORE: Updated Gold Cup bracket

Group D final standings

Only the top two teams advanced to the quarterfinals. Here is how the final round of matches unfolded:

  • Tues, July 4: Canada 4-2 Cuba (Houston)
  • Tues, July 4: Guatemala 3-2 Guadeloupe (Harrison, N.J.)
Team Pts W-D-L Goals
Scored		 Goal
Diff.
1. Guatemala-Q 7 2-1-0 4 +2
2. Canada-Q 5 1-2-0 6 +2
3. Guadeloupe 4 1-1-1 8 +2
4. Cuba 0 0-0-3 3 -6
  • Guatemala (1st place): vs. Jamaica in Gold Cup QFs
  • Canada (2nd place): vs. USA in Gold Cup QFs

Canada vs Cuba final score

  2nd Half Goal scorers
Canada 4 Junior Hoilett (penalty) 21'
Jonathan Osorio (Lucas Cavallini) 27'
Jayden Nelson 47'
Liam Millar (Junior Hoilett) 62'
Cuba 2 Luis Paradela (penalty) 49+'
Maykel Reyes (penalty) 88'

Lineups:

Canada (3-5-2, right to left): 1-St. Clair (GK) — 15-McGraw, 14-Bombito (7-Nelson, 33'), 4-Miller — 22-Laryea, 21-Osorio, 3-Fraser, 20-Ahmed (23-Kennedy, 69'), 11-Millar — 10-Hoilett (12-Loturi, 69'), 9-Cavallini (17-Russell-Rowe, 69')

Cuba (4-4-2, right to left): 1-S. Sanchez (21-Johnston, 61') (GK) — 5-Morejon, 2-Mendes (11-Torrez, 70'), 6-Piedra, 13-J.L. Corrales (3-Penalver, 46') — 18-Matos. 15-Y. Perez, 8-E. Hernandez, 7-Pozo (17-Diaz, 73') — 23-Paradela, 9-Reyes

Canada rematch vs USA

Both the USA and Canada are not even close to full strength, but the USA will be at home on Sunday and have two days worth of extra rest, which at the conclusion of the group stage can make a big difference.

Canada know how to play against the USA and won't be intimidated, but the Americans still have more overall quality in attack. Canada depend on Junior Hoilett being healthy and having an inspired match. To hurt the USA, the Canadians will also need other contributions from the likes of Jonathan Osorio, Ali Ahmed, and Jayden Nelson, who all showed a willingness to push up from midfield and attack the Cuba penalty area.

Hoilett, Nelson among Canada standouts vs. Cuba

In hot conditions in Houston, the match against Cuba could've quickly turned into a slog, but captain Junior Hoilett, who reportedly was carrying a hamstring issue, didn't allow his team to get dragged down.

Hoilett continuously popped up in dangerous positions and his quality shined through against an opponent that struggled to match Canada in that category. The likes of Jonathan Osorio, Ali Ahmed and substitute Jayden Nelson similarly found spaces in the Cuba box and were always alert and ready to take advantage of the many errors committed by Cuba.

Ahmed, who has been the breakout player for Canada in this tournament, showed his versatility and poise when the midfielder was asked to play left-back after an injury to Moise Bombito forced a tactical shuffle. And Ahmed did it with personality.

Jayden Nelson also showed a real hunger to take advantage of a rare opportunity, and he fought hard and attacked with a real edge after he came on as a substitute. He sent a message to John Herdman that he can be counted on from the start against the USA.

Canada vs Cuba live updates, highlights and commentary from Gold Cup

Final: Canada 4-2 Cuba

92nd min. Chance Canada! Cuba's third-string 'keeper comes up with the kick save on Russell-Rowe.

90th min. Seven minutes of stoppage time.

88th min. Goal Cuba! Penalty Cuba! It's the recently introduced sub, Dominick Zator, with the handball in the box, and after video review the referee points to the spot. And Cuba forward Maykel Reyes scores despite a poorly executed penalty which the goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair nearly saves.

That's a third converted penalty for Cuba in this tournament.

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84th min. SUB Canada. Dominick Zator is in for Zac McGraw. Canada is now trying to see out this result. Canada are in good position to advance.

74th min. And now Guatemala take the lead over Guadeloupe, 3-2. The French territory is now out of the quarterfinals if the scores hold.

69th min. SUBS. While Canada bring on three fresh players and Cuba one of their own, Guatemala equalize against Guadeloupe at 2-2. Canada are are still through with that result.

62nd min. Goal Canada! Cuba substitute their goalkeeper to give the third-string some minutes, and on the very first play he faces, he whiffs on the corner kick, and Liam Millar beats him with a header. It's 4-1 Canada.

Meanwhile, word comes from New Jersey that Guadeloupe has taken the lead on Guatemala via a penalty kick (2-1).

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56th min. Chance Canada! Les Rouges nearly had a fourth. Liam Millar attacks the ball at the right post and the ball takes a deflection off the Cuba defender and then caroms off the post.

Cuba has taken the ball into dangerous position in the attack themselves, but haven't shown to be clinical around the box.

47th min. Goal Canada! The Cuba goalkeeper can't get a hold of the ball on the ground — and he actually looks scared of the ball — and Jayden Nelson takes advantage to push it home. He did well to follow the play all the way.

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46th min. Second half is underway. Cuba with the only sub at halftime as Mario Penalver comes in for the injured Jorge Corrales at left-back.

Halftime: Canada 2-1 Cuba

Halftime: Cuba's self-inflicted errors caught up to them and the team with the better quality took advantage, finally going ahead on a Junior Hoilett penalty after a Cuba handball in the box. A turnover outside Cuba's own box, led to Canada's second goal by Jonathan Osorio.

With Canada shifting to a 4-4-2 formation after an injury to center-back Moise Bombito, Cuba took advantage of the space in behind to earn a penalty and convert in stoppage time, meaning the result still hangs in the balance.

It will be interesting to see what moves each team makes in the second half in the hot weather conditions in Houston (feels like 99 degrees Fahrenheit, 61 percent humidity). Cuba only have four options on their bench, while Canada may want to preserve captain Junior Hoilett, who was Canada's best player in the first half, but came into the match nursing a hamstring.

49th+ min.: Goal Cuba! Paradela steps up himself to convert with a classy finish, sending the 'keeper the wrong way. And Cuba are back in it, 2-1 down.

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48th+ min.: Penalty Cuba! In stoppage time (5 minutes of stoppage time), Dayne St. Clair brings down Paradela in the Canada box and it's a penalty for Cuba.

42nd min.: As Junior Hoilett chips another shot toward Cuba's goal inside the box, news comes down of a Guatemala goal to equalize the score against Guadeloupe in New Jersey 1-1. Canada are still through as things stand.

36th min.: YELLOW card Cuba. Minutes after a hard tackle on Liam Millar, Cuba left-back Jorge Corrales goes in the book for a foul on Junior Hoilett.

The set-piece is well-executed with Hoilett serving up Jonathan Osorio in the box, and his low shot is stopped by Sandy Sanchez.

33rd min.: SUB Canada. Moise Bombito has to come out of the game early. Jayden Nelson enters the match in his place. Canada will now operate in a 4-4-2 with only two center backs (Zac McGraw and Kamal Miller) and Ali Ahmed as left-back. Jayden Nelson is at left midfield.

27th min.: Goal Canada! After Cuba coughs it up in a bad spot, Canada turn it into a goal with Lucas Cavallini serving up Jonathan Osorio at the left post. And Guadeloupe score at roughly the same time.

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23rd min.: Chance Canada! A Junior Hoilett set piece from the right side finds Lucas Cavallini in the box, but his header is just high of the bar.

20th min.: Goal Canada! Penalty Canada! A Hoilett cross from the end line goes off a Cuba player's arm. The referee points to the spot and Hoilett steps up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

As things stand, Canada are through as the second-place team.

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17th min.: Chance Canada. Liam Fraser lets fly from outside the box, but it's right at the goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez, who doesn't allow a rebound.

14th min.: Chance Canada! Ali Ahmed gets a shot off in the box that goes wide of the left post. Ahmed is operating on the left side, while Osorio is on the right side of midfield.

10th min.: VAR decision. After a three-minute check, Osorio is judged to be offside and the replays back that up.

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7th min.: Woodwork Canada! Jonathan Osorio connects on a cross across the six-yard box and he bangs it off the crossbar and it bounces off the goal line twice. The Costa Rican referee Keylor Herrera says no goal, but it's being checked. Osorio may have also been offside.

6th min.: Cuba had two box entries in the opening minute, and it's been an even start to this match. But Cuba look up for this game.

1st min.: Cuba kick off in white jerseys and blue shorts. Canada in all black in the 90-degree weather.

Kickoff

5 mins. to kickoff: Teams are on the field. Canada national anthem up first.

10 mins. to kickoff: Dayne St. Clair is undefeated as a starting goalkeeper for Canada. But a draw just won't do today:

1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are out. Dayne St. Clair takes over for Milan Borjan in goal as expected, but Liam Fraser also gets the call, meaning that Moise Bombito will likely occupy the central position in a three-man backline, his third different position in this tournament.

Meanwhile, it's a thin squad for Cuba.

1 hour, 15 mins. to kickoff: The day before the match, Canada manager John Herdman announced that Milan Borjan left camp after "picking something up" in the last match against Guatemala. Since he's joining a new club this summer, he took no chances and has already departed camp.

1 hour, 45 mins. to kickoff: This bodes well for Canada, provided Junior Hoilett doesn't succumb to the hamstring ailment that forced him off as a precaution in the 65th minute against Guatemala.

2 hours to kickoff: Canada fans will have one eye on the other Group D match between Guadeloupe and Guatemala as that result will determine whether Canada finish first, second, or even out of the tournament.

The simplified form of the qualification scenarios follows below. But goal difference will likely come into play as the first tiebreaker. Goals scored is the second tiebreaker.

Canada vs Cuba lineups

One forced change for Canada is at goalkeeper with Milan Borjan departing camp, and Dayne St. Clair next in line to replace him. But veteran Junior Hoilett has overcome a hamstring issue to get the starting spot in attack.

Zac McGraw comes back into the right center-back position, while Moise Bombito takes over for Steven Vitoria in the middle of the three-man backline. Liam Fraser, who was pulled at halftime against Guatemala, will be in central midfield, allowing Bombito to resume his more defensive duties.

Canada lineup (3-5-2): 1-St. Clair (GK) — 15-Zac McGraw, 14-Moise Bombito, 4-Kamal Miller — 22-Richie Laryea, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 3-Liam Fraser, 20-Ali Ahmed, 11-Liam Millar — 10-Junior Hoilett, 9-Lucas Cavallini

Canada subs (11): 16-Tom McGill (GK), 6-Dominick Zator, 23-Scott Kennedy, 2-Zachary Brault-Guillard, 5-Steven Vitoria, 8-David Wotherspoon, 12-Victor Loturi, 19-Charles-Andreas Brym, 7-Jayden Nelson, 13-Jacob Shaffelburg, 17-Jacen Russell-Rowe

Cuba was left thin after four players abandoned camp following the first group match against Guatemala, never getting on the plane to Houston and instead staying in Miami. With Aldair Ruiz (red card suspension) and Carlos Vazquez (yellow card accumulation) not involved against Canada, that leaves Cuba with just four field players on the bench.

Among the starters, Yunior Perez covers a ton of ground and Willian Pozo is a talented playmaker. But goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, the brother of Major League Baseball star Randy Arozarena, is on the bench, as is captain and No. 10 Arichel Hernandez. They were both starters in the last two games. Goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez and forward Maykel Reyes take their place against Canada.

Cuba starting lineup (4-4-2): 1-Sandy Sanchez (GK) — 5-Dariel Morejon, 2-Modesto Mendez, 6-Yosel Piedra, 13-Jorge Corrales — 18-Yasniel Matos, 15-Yunior Perez, 8-Eduardo Hernandez, 7-Willian Pozo — 23-Luis Paradela, 9-Maykel Reyes.

Cuba subs (6): 12-Raiko Arozarena (GK) 21-Nelson Johnston (GK), 3-Mario Penalver, 11-Romario Torrez, 17-Daniel Diaz, 10-Arichel Hernandez.

Watch Canada vs Cuba live stream, TV channel

Here's how fans in the USA and Canada can watch the Canada vs. Cuba match.

USA

  • Date: Tues, July 4, 2023
  • Time (ET): 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
  • TV Channel: FS1
  • Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, ViX

The match between Canada and Cuba will be televised in the United States on FS1, which is available to stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. 

Fans can watch the broadcast in Spanish on Univision's ViX streaming platform with a subscription.

Subscribers to cable, satellite or telco packages can also use their credentials to access an English-language stream on the Fox Sports site or app. 

Canada

  • Date: Tues, July 4, 2023
  • Time (ET): 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
  • TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
  • Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app

The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.

It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.

Canada vs Cuba betting odds

Between the players abandoning camp and the team having nothing to play for, Cuba isn't given much of a chance in this game. But they shouldn't be taken lightly, because they have the talent to cause Canada problems, they can play with no pressure, and the weather conditions (90 degrees) will arguably be in their favor.

The Cuba double chance is priced at an eye-catching +725 for those wishing to play a result, though the more conservative way to wager based on a competitive Cuba performance is via the spread (handicap) of +2.5 or the Under 3.5 total goals, both priced at +105. 

  Canada
win		 Draw Cuba
win		 Both teams
to score Y / N		 Over / Under
3.5 goals		 CAN
-2.5		 CUB
+2.5
BetMGM
(USA)		 -1200 +1150 +2500 +135 / -200 -145 / +105 -150 +105
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)		 1.07 10.00 26.00 2.36 / 1.46 1.75 / 2.04 1.70 2.12

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.