Diego Luna double fires USA past Guatemala into Gold Cup final

Diego Luna struck twice in the opening 15 minutes as the US men's national team edged Guatemala 2-1 in St. Louis on Wednesday, sealing a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

The 20-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder, who scored his first international goal just days earlier against Costa Rica, now leads the team in 2025 with seven goal contributions (three goals, four assists).

Luna opened the scoring in the 4th minute, pouncing on a rebound after goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro spilled a long-range effort from Luca de la Torre. He doubled the lead in the 15th minute with a brilliant left-footed strike from 22 yards after receiving a pass from Malik Tillman.



Despite the early deficit, Guatemala responded with urgency, dominating the final 20 minutes of the first half and outshooting the US 12-2 in that span. Navarro kept his side in the match with a series of key saves, including back-to-back denials of Patrick Agyemang in the 62nd and 64th minutes.


The pressure paid off when Olger Escobar pulled one back in the 80th minute, slipping a low shot past multiple defenders into the net. But US goalkeeper Matt Freese held firm, making five saves, including a crucial diving stop on Jose Morales in stoppage time to maintain the lead.


This was the first Gold Cup knockout round meeting between the two nations and Guatemala’s first semifinal appearance since 1996. The US will face either Mexico or Honduras in Sunday’s final in Houston.