TORONTO, Canada—Without Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, and Ayo Akinola—among many other notable names—the Canadian men’s national team still found a way forward, defeating Costa Rica 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to advance to their first CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal in 14 years.
It was a dream start for Canada who began this match on the front foot and were rewarded for their effort in the 18th minute. Leamington, Ontario’s Stephen Eustaquio, who has been so good over the course of this tournament, would show off his passing range, picking out a streaking Junior Hoilett over the top—a good 50-yard pass—and the 31-year-old Brampton, Ontario native made no mistake on the finish, lobbing it over the Costa Rican goalkeeper to give Canada the 1-0 lead.