As the final whistle blew at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium last night, Jonathan David jogged toward the corner flag, arms raised to the sky. The crowd of nearly 45,000 roared their approval. For the third straight Gold Cup tournament, Canada had fought its way into the quarterfinals.
The 2-0 victory over El Salvador wasn’t always pretty, but in tournament football, results trump style points. David’s clinical finish in the 37th minute and Tajon Buchanan’s late insurance goal were enough to secure Canada’s advancement as Group B winners.
“These matches are about finding ways to win,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch told reporters afterward. “El Salvador made us work for everything tonight, but our players showed character when it mattered most.”
The win extends Canada’s unbeaten streak to seven matches across all competitions, building momentum as they pursue their second Gold Cup title. Their first and only championship came in 2000, a drought the current generation of players seems determined to end.
David, who recently completed another stellar season with Lille in France’s Ligue 1, continues to cement his status as Canada’s most reliable goal scorer. His tally against El Salvador marked his 29th international goal in just 53 appearances.
“We’re creating a special environment with this team,” David said. “Everyone understands their role, and we’re playing with confidence. But we know the real challenges are still ahead.”
Canada controlled possession for much of the first half, though El Salvador threatened on several counterattacks. Milan Borjan, making his 81st appearance for Canada, produced two spectacular saves that preserved the clean sheet.
The breakthrough came when Alphonso Davies sliced through three defenders on the left wing before delivering a perfect cross that David calmly slotted past El Salvador goalkeeper Mario González.
The crowd, awash in red and white, erupted. Many had traveled considerable distances to witness the national team’s first competitive match in Vancouver since the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“The support was incredible,” midfielder Stephen Eustáquio said. “When we play in Canada, we feel that extra push from the fans. It makes a difference in these tight matches.”
El Salvador, desperately needing a result to advance, pressed forward after halftime. Their best chance came in the 62nd minute when Nelson Bonilla’s header struck the crossbar with Borjan beaten.
That near-miss seemed to awaken Canada, who reasserted control through the midfield talents of Eustáquio and Ismaël Koné. Their possession game gradually wore down the Central Americans.
The second goal arrived in the 83rd minute when substitute Liam Millar drove down the right flank and found Buchanan unmarked at the back post. The Inter Milan winger made no mistake, powering his header into the net to seal the victory.
According to Canada Soccer data, the national team has now reached the knockout stage in four of the last five Gold Cup tournaments – a sign of the program’s growing consistency. However, they’ve only advanced to the semifinals once during that span, a statistic Marsch addressed directly.
“Getting out of the group is expected now, not celebrated,” Marsch said. “This team has the talent to compete with anyone in CONCACAF, but we need to prove it in the knockout rounds.”
The quarterfinal matchup will pit Canada against the runner-up from Group C, with Panama or Costa Rica the likely opponent. That match will be played in Houston on July 4.
For El Salvador, the defeat marks another disappointing Gold Cup exit. Despite flashes of quality, particularly from captain Darwin CerĂ©n, they struggled to create consistent scoring chances against Canada’s organized defense.
“We showed we can compete, but the final product wasn’t there,” El Salvador coach Hugo PĂ©rez said. “Canada capitalized on their opportunities, and that was the difference.”
The tournament continues a busy international calendar for Canada, who are balancing Gold Cup commitments with preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which they’ll co-host with the United States and Mexico.
Several Canadian players referenced the importance of building momentum toward that historic event. “Every tournament, every match is part of our journey toward 2026,” defender Alistair Johnston said. “We’re growing together through these experiences.”
The victory wasn’t without concern, however. Davies received treatment for an apparent ankle injury late in the second half, though he finished the match. His status will be closely monitored ahead of the quarterfinal.
As fans filed out of BC Place, many stopped to take photos with a banner reading “Road to 2026 Starts Here.” For a nation once on the periphery of international football, Canada’s rise has been remarkable. Now, with knockout rounds ahead, they’ll aim to take another significant step forward in this Gold Cup campaign.
