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The 2021 Gold Cup is in the group stage, but some teams have already qualified for the knockout stage. The top two teams in each of the four groups will secure a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament. The eight-team quarterfinal will begin on Saturday, July 24.
We’re tracking every team that has made the knockout bracket here.
El Salvador — July 14
El Salvador is the first team to clinch a knockout stage berth. They clinched their spot with a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday. Jairo Henríquez scored in the 30th minute and Walmer Martinez added insurance in stoppage time at the end of the match. El Salvador beat Guatemala 2-0 after the latter was a last-minute replacement for Curacao — who was removed from the tournament after the COVID-19 outbreak.
El Salvador has one match remaining, against Mexico on Sunday the 18th. They currently lead Mexico by two points after the second round of group stage games. El Salvador will win the group if they win or ties against Mexico on Sunday.
UPDATE: El Salvador lost to Mexico and finished in second place in their group. They will face the winner of Group D in the quarterfinals.
Canada — July 15
The Canadians have made the knockout stage after a 4-1 victory over Haiti. Canada has now scored eight goals in two group stage games and looks like a dangerous side heading into the business end of the competition. The favorites did get two penalties in their favor and also got to see the game out with Haiti going down to 10 men.
Canada will face the USMNT in the last group stage game for a chance to finish at the top of the table, assuming the Americans defeat Martinique. Even if Canada draws, it’ll likely have the goal differential and goals for to be at the top of the standings.
UPDATE: Canada lost to the US to close out group play and finished second. They will face the winner of Group C in the quarterfinals.
United States — July 15
The USMNT took care of business and did so in more impressive fashion for the second game on their group slate. The team advanced to the knockout stage with a 6-1 win over Martinique. The US squeaked out a 1-0 win in the opener and was looking to impress in their second go-around. It was a one-sided match, with Martinique’s only goal coming on a penalty.
The US will now face Canada to close out group play. The US needs a win to secure first place in the group because Canada leads in total goals scored. If Canada wins or draws, they will claim first place in the group.
UPDATE: The US beat Canada to clinch first place in their group. They will face the runner-up from Group C in the quarterfinals.
Jamaica — July 16
Jamaica struggled a bit to get out of their own way in their second group stage match, but they did enough to edge Guadeloupe 2-1. Jamaica scored an own goal in the fourth minute, but equalized in the 14th minute. They could not net the winner until the 87th minute, but they got it to take care of business. Jamaica is tied with Costa Rica atop the Group C table and the two squads off in the final game of group play. They’re tied at +3 goal differential while Costa Rica holds the edge with 5 goals to Jamaica’s 4. Jamaica needs a win to claim the top of the group.
Costa Rica — July 16
Costa Rica scored a pair of goals within a minute of each other to defeat Suriname 2-1 in the second game of group play. Costa Rica will be missing a pair of notable names in their final due to cards. Calvo received a red card in the match while Kendall Waston received a yellow card for entering the pitch too early when he subbed in for Joel Campbell. Costa Rica is tied with Jamaica atop the Group C table ahead of their group stage finale on Tuesday the 20th. They’re tied in goal differential while Costa has the edge in total goals scored. Costa Rica will claim first place in the group with a win or tie in the match.
Honduras — July 17
Honduras came back in the second half against Panama with a pair of goals to secure a win. Trailing 2-1, Alexander López scored in the 61st minute and Romell Quioto added his second goal of the match, in the 65the minute. Honduras will face Qatar in the final match of group play. Honduras holds a two-point lead on Qatar and can clinch the group with a win or tie.
Mexico — July 18
El Tri advanced to the knockout stage with a must-win over El Salvador. Mexico was slow to start the Gold Cup struggling to a scoreless tie with Trinidad in the first game of group play. However, Mexico bounced back with a 3-0 win over Guatemala before doing just enough to get past El Salvador and win the group. They will face the runner-up from Group D in the quarterfinals.
Qatar — July 20
Qatar qualified on the last day while also managing to leapfrog Honduras to win Group D. Qatar beat Honduras 2-0 in their final group stage match and will face El Salvador in the quarterfinals.