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US, Canada win to reach Gold Cup semi-final round

Canada's Dwayne De Rosario, right, celebrates scoring a goal in front of Guatemala's Claudio Albizuris during their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on Saturday. Canada won 3-0. PHOTO: REUTERS

Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick in the 59th minute and Carlos Bocanegra headed in a goal as the US advanced to the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Panama.

The US, who allowed their first goal of the tournament when Panama's Blas Perez scored in the 83rd minute, advanced on Saturday to their eighth semi-final in nine Gold Cups.

For Donovan, it was his second goal of the tournament -- both coming on penalty kicks.

It was also the US forward's 32nd goal in international play, putting him just two shy of Eric Wynalda's US record.

In Saturday's other quarter-final, Canada defeated Guatemala 3-0.

The US will play Canada in the first semi-final on Thursday in Chicago.

The second semi-final will feature the winners of yesterday's quarter-final matches, where Honduras was to play Guadeloupe and Mexico was to play Costa Rica.

Donovan has been a nemesis for Panama. He has four goals and two assists in five matches against the Panamanians.

In the 61st minute, Bocanegra headed in a beautiful cross from midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, which stood up as the winner.

Ali Gerba scored twice in the first half as Canada advanced to the semi-finals.

It is the first semi-final appearance for Canada since 2002, when it lost to the US.

Gerba also had a hand in the first goal for Canada, setting up Dwayne De Rosario's tally in the 17th minute.

Canada extended the advantage to 2-0 in the 33rd minute as Gerba tapped the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Trigueno.

Just before the half, Gerba struck again.

This time, Gerba had a pass from Julian De Guzman deflect off his heel and past Trigueno.

The championship game is set for Sunday in Chicago.
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