Canada edges Guatemala 3-2 in Nations League quarterfinal first leg, loses captain Alphonso Davies to injury

Canada secured a 3-2 victory over Guatemala in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Friday night, while also seeing captain Alphonso Davies forced off with a lower-body injury.

Canada took a 3-0 lead into halftime after goals from Tani Oluwaseyi (18th minute), Liam Millar (28th minute) and Jonathan David in stoppage time, according to assistant coach Mauro Biello. Guatemala reduced the deficit when Oscar Santis scored in the 54th minute, and a late own-goal by defender Luc de Fougerolles made the final score one-goal margin.

Davies slipped inside the penalty area in the fifth minute, attempted to block a shot and then signalled to the bench before being substituted. > "It’s a lower-body injury right now. They’re going to assess him over the next couple days here and then we’ll get a better idea on the extent of the injury," Biello said.

Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch was shown a red card in the 64th minute, a decision that Biello described as surprising.

The second leg will be played on Monday night at Toronto’s BMO Field, with the series winner advancing to the Nations League Finals in Los Angeles in March 2027 and earning a spot in the 2027 Gold Cup. The loser will be required to enter the Gold Cup preliminary round.

Canada also dealt with a lengthy injury list, with midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Jacob Shaffelburg joining other sidelined regulars such as Stephen Eustáquio, Cyle Larin, Derek Cornelius, Alfie Jones and Alistair Johnston.