Luna doubles the United States to the Gold Cup final

Diego Luna’s double in the first half helped the United States defeat Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday at Energizer Park in St. Louis, securing their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Just four minutes into the game, Guatemalan goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro parried a shot from Luca de la Torre onto his path, and Luna scored on a rebound.

In the fifteenth minute, the American midfielder increased the lead by creating space with deft agility and then putting in a low shot from the side of the box.

Olger Escobar gave Guatemala a late comeback in their first Gold Cup semi-final since 1996, but they were unable to score the equalizer.

The United States is attempting to win their first Gold Cup since 2021 and their ninth overall. In Sunday’s final in Houston, Marucio Pochettino’s team will play either the defending champions, Mexico, or Honduras.

“It’s determination that we’ve been lacking, it’s fighting until the end in every moment and I think that’s what we showcased today,” Luna said on Fox Sports.

“Is about finding the rhythm, being able to get the freedom from the staff and the team, that allows me to do what I do with the ball.”

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made an incredible stop to deny Rubio Rubin from a tight angle as Guatemala steadily increased their pressure after falling down early on.

However, Navarro stretched to block Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick at the near post, giving the United States a chance to score a third just before halftime.

Around the hour mark, Navarro was called upon once more to stop Patrick Agyemang’s close-range header, which was the first clear opportunity of the second half.

Escobar’s low drive past Freese in the 80th minute gave Guatemala hope as the match entered its final moments.

In stoppage time, the visitors nearly tied the score again, but Freese made a crucial save to deny Jose Morales the equalizer.