Canada concedes twice in shock Gold Cup tie with unranked Guadeloupe in Toronto

The disappointment was telling after a rough finish.

Leading 2-1 in the middle of stoppage time, Canada conceded an own goal to allow Guadeloupe to equalize and complete the CONCACAF Gold Cup opener in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday at BMO Field.

“We are disappointed with the result at home,” said Canada head coach John Herdman. “You definitely want to get three points [of] your first game and definitely do it at home for these fans who showed up tonight.”

“I think the fans have seen something of our future. I think this tournament has opened the door for that opportunity,” added Herdman. “And to see those new caps experience some adversity as well, to see how they react and not kind of crumble and capitulate under, I think, difficult circumstances.

“I thought that was a real bright spot in our game. I think in the dressing room we were proud of the way they handled this game.”

WATCH l Canada’s men’s soccer team baffled by unranked Guadeloupe:

Canada is missing some of its biggest names in Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alistair Johnston, Atiba Hutchinson and Ismael Kone for the tournament. The team also announced on Monday that Stephen Eustaquio and Samuel Adekugbe have been replaced by Jayden Nelson and Liam Fraser in the lineup.

With that, Ali Ahmed, Moise Bombito, Zac McGraw, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Dominick Zator, among others, made their debut for the senior team.

Ahmed, a 22-year-old Toronto native who plays for Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps, was all over the game. Asked how the moment was apart from the result, Ahmed couldn’t hide his feelings for the result.

“Honestly, the result is now in my head, it definitely hits me,” he said. “BMO [Field]home field, first game, it must be a win.

“Maybe once the results are off my mind I’ll have time to think about it. It’s obviously a special day to play at home for Canada.

“If you asked me two years ago if I’d be here, I wouldn’t think so. Just enjoy the trip, man.”

Lucas Cavallini scored for Canada, with the second goal being a Guadeloupe own goal.

WATCH l Cavallini balances for Canada:

Canada’s Cavallini, Hoilett equalize for the equalizer early in the 2nd half

Lucas Cavallini gets a good pass from Junior Hoilett to tie the game for Canada in their CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match against Guadeloupe. The teams would eventually settle for a 2-2 draw.

Thierry Ambrose had the other goal for Guadeloupe.

Canada is 2-1-1 all-time against Guadeloupe, which has no world rankings as it is not a member of FIFA. The 47th ranked Canadians then head to Houston to complete the Group D play against Guatemala ranked No. 116 on July 1 and Cuba ranked No. 165 on July 4.

The 16-nation tournament runs through July 16 in 15 stadiums in 14 cities. BMO Field is the only Canadian stop and only for Tuesday’s game.

Ambrose opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Jordan Leborgne sent a pass into the box for a cutting Ambrose who made a nice move to freeze Steven Vitoria and score.

“They wobbled a bit after that first goal,” said Herdman. “I think to be honest, the young players, they kept going.

“Bombito’s head didn’t go down, Ali Ahmed just kept going and I think that was quite inspiring for our leaders.”

Less than a minute into the second half, Junior Hoilett forced a penalty when he fell while driving between two Guadeloupe defenders in the penalty area. However, after a VAR (video assistant referee) check, the referees quashed the appeal of the 15,301 people in attendance.

In the 48th minute, Hoilett went back to work. He sent a centering pass to a streaking Cavallini who balanced the ball.

Canada went up 2–1 on an own goal in the 71st minute. Charles-Andreas Brym, coming on for Hoilett just six minutes earlier, sent a pass into the penalty area for Richie Laryea, but in an attempt to get him cleared, Meddy Lina put the pass into his own net.

But Guadeloupe tied the score three minutes into stoppage time. Johan Rotsen fired in a cross from the right from a free kick after a foul by Vitoria, which earned him a yellow card.

After pointing out some things his side could learn from the game, Herdman added set pieces and concentration, referring in particular to the final moments.

“The last goal, I don’t think we had to take a dead game moment at that point,” he said. “But it’s football.

“Those last minutes, just concentrate, do your job, get close to your man, kill the space, do whatever it takes to get the result.

“When the boys see that again, they’ll be gutted.”