Canada Beat Guatemala As Davies Exits Injured

Three Goals Built On David

Jonathan David had a hand in all three Canada goals in what the MLS match report called one of the most complete first halves of the Marsch era. The opener came in the 18th minute. A long Richie Laryea throw was headed on by Tajon Buchanan toward David, whose backheel sent Tani Oluwaseyi through, and the Villarreal striker split two defenders before finishing past Nicholas Hagen. It was Oluwaseyi’s first goal for Canada in 18 appearances.

Liam Millar doubled the lead in the 28th minute, reacting first to a rebound in front of goal for his second Canada goal and his first since the 2023 Gold Cup against Cuba. David then scored the third himself in first half stoppage time, finishing a Buchanan cross from close range after Buchanan had intercepted a loose ball at the back. Buchanan had a goal ruled offside a minute earlier, and David had already headed onto the top of the net, as Canada pressed for more before the break.

Davies Lasts Five Minutes On Return

The night was built around Davies. The Bayern Munich defender started at left back in his first Canada start since the Nations League third place match in March of 2025, more than 600 days ago, after a long injury absence that began with the cruciate ligament injury he suffered on Canada duty. As Canadian Soccer Daily reported from Guatemala City, Davies slipped while running back to block a shot in the opening minutes, sat down on the turf holding the back of his leg, and was replaced by Ralph Priso in the sixth minute, with Joel Waterman moving to left back.

We’re evaluating the situation and we’ll know more information tomorrow. It’s a lower body injury right now. They’re gonna assess him over the next couple of days here and then we’ll get a better idea of the extent of the injury once the doctor takes a good look at it, and then we’ll be able to make a decision on what the next steps are with him. – Mauro Biello, Canada assistant coach, via Canadian Soccer Daily

No diagnosis was announced after the match, and Davies walked off without assistance. His availability for Monday’s second leg is uncertain, and the assessment over the next two days decides whether Canada finish this tie with or without their captain.

Marsch Sees Red As Lead Slips

Guatemala, who knocked Canada out of the Gold Cup quarterfinals last summer, refused to fold at home. Oscar Santis put the hosts on the board in the 54th minute with a looping header, and Canada’s second half grew more difficult when Marsch was shown a red card during a substitution, the second straight Nations League match in which he has been sent off. Assistant coach Mauro Biello said the staff did not know exactly what the decision was and were quite surprised by it.

Canada collected soft yellow cards for Niko Sigur, Waterman and Laryea, and Waterman was replaced at halftime. Maxime Crepeau’s clean sheet was gone, and in second half stoppage time a Luc de Fougerolles own goal made it 3-2 and set up a far more nervous finish than the first half had promised. Canada’s all time record against Guatemala now stands at eleven wins, three draws and three losses.

Toronto Decides The Tie On Monday

The second leg is on Monday, November 16, at BMO Field in Toronto. The away goals rule is still in effect in this competition, so Canada’s three away goals give them a cushion beyond the one goal lead, and a draw is enough to advance. The series winner goes to the Concacaf Nations League Finals in Los Angeles in March 2027 and qualifies directly for the 2027 Gold Cup.

This was Canada’s first competitive match since the World Cup round of 16 exit to Morocco in the summer, and it was only the second away match in the wider Concacaf region of Marsch’s 40 games in charge. The first half showed what this team can be at full speed. The second half, the injury to Davies and the red card for Marsch showed how quickly a tie like this can turn. Monday in Toronto now decides it, in front of a home crowd, with a semifinal place and a Gold Cup berth on the line.