Turner’s penalty heroics send USA into semi-final

Matt Turner was the hero of the night saving two penalties in the shootout as the US overcame Canada in the Gold Cup quarter-final. 

The match, which ended 2-2 after extra time, was goalless until the 88th minute until Brandon Vázquez opened the scoring with a bullet header from DeJuan Jones’ lobbed cross.

Canada, however, had luck on their side as they were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute after a suspected handball was confirmed by VAR. Steven Vitoria converted from 12 yards to send the game into extra-time. 

In the 109th minute, Jacob Shaffelburg netted his first international goal for Canada after his deflected shot found the bottom right corner. 

Five minutes later, Turner’s USA had a response when Jordan Morris’ header was saved but then rebounded off Canadian defender Scott Kennedy and found the empty net, meaning the game had to be decided by penalties.

Canadian defender Vitoria, who converted his spot kick earlier in the game, was first up but Turner stood his ground with a brilliant reaction save down the middle. 

The U.S. advantage was soon cancelled out after Vázquez, who also netted in normal time, blazed his penalty over the bar. 

Turner didn’t allow Canada to take the lead with their second spot kick as he pulled off a fine diving save down to his bottom right to deny Liam Fraser.

The U.S. and Canada both scored their remaining penalties until it came down to Charles-Andreas Brym to face Turner who was unable to convert, cannoning the ball off the crossbar to send The Stars and Stripes into the semi-final for the 12th consecutive time.