The United States beat Canada on penalties in Cincinnati to advance to the Gold Cup semi-finals ©Getty Images

The United States kept their Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup title defence alive after scraping through a scintillating quarter-final against Canada.

A crowd of 24,979 in Ohio's TQL Stadium which saw a lacklustre first 80 minutes before the match exploded into life.

Brandon Vázquez, wwell known at the venue as a Cincinnati FC player, broke the deadlock in the 88th minute after leaping to reach DeJuan Jones' cross.

It was the 24-year-old's third goal of the tournament but it was not enough to send the Americans through in normal time.   

The lead lasted just five minutes before Miles Robinson was judged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area.

Steven de Sousa Vitória then confidently beat Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner from the spot to force the game into extra time.

The United States Brandon Vázquez gave his side a late lead in the 88th minute before the eventual penalty shootout win ©Getty Images
The United States Brandon Vázquez gave his side a late lead in the 88th minute before the eventual penalty shootout win ©Getty Images

A penalty shootout looked inevitable before Jacob Shaffelburg put Canada into the lead for a first time in the 19th minute of extra-time but the advantage was once again cancelled out after five minutes. 

This time by way of an own goal as a Dayne St. Clair save rebounded off Scott Kennedy and into the net.

Vázquez and Vitória stepped up first in the shootout for their sides but both squandered their chance.

Cade Cowell put the US onto the board with his attempt before Canada's Liam Fraser was denied.

Gianluca Busio and Jesús Ferreira found the net for the US and Canada's Kamal Miller and Jacen Russell-Rowe did the same to take the score to 3-2.

Charles-Andreas Brym had to convert his spot kick to keep Canada in the tournament but failed to do so.

As a result, the US are due to meet Panama in the semi-finals after a 4-0 win against Qatar on Saturday (July 8).

The other match of the day saw Jamaica sneak past Guatemala 1-0 courtesy of a Amari'I Kyren Bell goal in a match at the TQL Stadium which preceded the US-Canada game.

They are due face Mexico, who beat Costa Rica 2-0 on Saturday, in the next which is set to take place on Wednesday (July 12).