Our prediction for this Gold Cup match:
Mexico will look to move one step closer to defending their Gold Cup trophy when they take on Canada at NRG Stadium. El Tri faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over Honduras, with Funes Mori scoring his third goal of the process. The title holders have been making progress game by game, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to win the Gold Cup semis. Hirving Lozano has been ruled out of the tournament through injury, but there are no suspended players in the Mexican team.
The Canucks, on the other hand, made it to the semis without star player Alphonso Davies, and they do not want to stop now. In Davies’ absence, a man to watch in the away team will be experienced winger Junior Hoilett, who has been producing excellent displays at the 2021 Gold Cup. Both Akinola and Larin (injuries), on the other hand, will be sorely missed in Saturday’s clash, which is the main reason why home win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Jonathan dos Santos):
While playing at a youth tournament in France, Jonathan Dos Santos was spotted by FC Barcelona scouts, who were delighted with what they saw. The Barca chiefs decided to bring Jonathan and his brother Giovani to La Masia, with both passing the trial.
The Mexican midfielder, who was born in Monterrey on April 26, 1990, scored 6 goals in 81 appearances for Barcelona B from 2009 to 2012, but he played no more than 14 games for the senior team in the Spanish top flight. On July 9, 2014 Jonathan dos Santos moved to Villareal and he scored his first La Liga goal in December against Deportivo La Coruna.
The Mexico international played an important role at Villarreal until 2017 when he decided to sign a contract with MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy. The biggest success of his career, though, is winning the UEFA Champions League title in the 2010/2011 season with Barca. Unlike his brother, Jonathan’s preferred foot is right.
Highlighted Team (Canada):
Canada national football team played their first official match back in 1924 when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Australia in Brisbane. The following year the two teams faced each other one in Adelaide, with the Canadians managing to get their revenge on the Socceroos. The Canucks had several unsuccessful attempts to make it to the World Cup finals, but in 1986 they finally booked their place at the showpiece tournament.
Canada faced France in their opener, with Jean-Pierre Papin scoring the winner for les Tricolores in the dying minutes of the match. The Canadians were beaten by Hungary and USSR in the next two group games as well and, as a result, they failed to advance to the knockout stages.
Speaking of the team’s trophies, the Canucks won the CONCACAF Gold cup on two occasions (1985, 2000), with the team beating Honduras and Colombia respectively in the title games. Canada national football team play their home games at BMO Field and the capacity of the venue is 30,000.