The quarterfinals of the Clausura 2026 of the Guatemala National League present a high-voltage duel, Communications visits Antigua GFC in the first chapter of a series that promises emotions from the opening whistle. The fourth and fifth places of the regular phase face each other in a round-trip eliminator that will be defined over 180 minutes between creams and green bellies.
The Pensativo stadium, in the colonial city, will be the scene of the first duel of this series. The current two-time national soccer champion, Antigua GFC, led by Argentine Mauricio Tapiawill seek to assert their home status to take advantage at home.
In return, the white team, led by the Chilean strategist Marco Antonio “el Fantasma” Figueroa will try to get a positive result to close the series in their stadium and take a firm step towards the semifinals.
During the regular phase, both teams faced each other twice, with one win per side. On the third day, Comunicaciones won as a visitor with a goal from the Cuban Karel Espino. Later, on matchday 14, Antigua took revenge and beat the creams 1-0, with a score by Óscar Castellanos.
The white team reaches this league without the pressure of relegation. After signing the worst championship in its history in the Apertura 2025 tournament, finishing in last position and being seriously compromised with permanence, Comunicaciones managed to reverse the situation during Clausura 2026.
The capital team secured salvation on the penultimate matchday and left behind a complicated period that at times raised fears of a historic relegation. Now, one of the most winning clubs in the country, with 32 titles, returns to a final phase, an instance in which it is traditionally the protagonist, and will seek to fight again for the championship under the leadership of Figueroa.
For this series, Communications should be entrusted to its most decisive players. Among them stands out the Cuban attacker Dairon Reyeswho was the main offensive reference for much of the tournament and finished as the team’s top scorer, with nine goals.
However, their lack of goals in recent days was felt, so the Albos hope to recover their best version in this league. Another key element is the captain Steven Adán “el Pelón” Robles, a winger converted into a midfielder, whose leadership, character and physical display They make him a fundamental piece in the creation of the cream midfield.
Likewise, the Mexican defender Ernesto Monreal has established himself as one of the leaders of the defense and a vital player both in defensive tasks and in getting the ball out, so he is called upon to stop the Antigüeño attack. They are joined by footballers like Fredy Pérez, Omar Duarte, Karel Espino and José Pinto, who are called to make a difference in their respective positions.
For its part, Antigua GFC faces this final phase in a good moment. Although they had an irregular start to the tournament that kept them at the bottom of the table for several days, the colonial team found its best version as the dates went by until they got back into the fight.
The path begins and we walk it TOGETHER ⚽🤍👻
⚽️ NEXT MATCH
🆚 Former GFC📅 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 19:00 hrs.
🏟 Pensive Stadium
📺 @TigoSportsGt #VamosCremas | #Clausura2026 pic.twitter.com/R3m1XVIS2h— FC Communications (@CremasOficial) April 27, 2026
Already in decisive instances, the green bellies become a fearsome rival, backed by their status as two-time national champions and with the hope of achieving a historic three-time championship, something that until now no departmental team has achieved in Guatemala.
Mauricio Tapia hopes to have his full squad to face this series. Among the players called to be decisive is the winger and national team Óscar Santis, a footballer who usually thrives in this type of match thanks to his mobility, imbalance and scoring instinct. In goal, Luis Morán has become insurance for the colonial team, providing experience and leadership in key moments.
On offense, the Argentine Agustín Maziero will be the main goal scorer, while players like Óscar Castellanos, José Ardón, Diego Fernández and Héctor Prillwitz They also aim to be decisive. In addition, Antigua has young people who have established themselves as starters and have brought freshness to the starting eleven.
Everything is ready for a high-caliber clash at the Calle Ancha de los Herreros venue, which will show off its best clothes. Antigua, one of the most successful clubs of the last decade, will face Communications, one of the clubs with the greatest tradition and record of achievements in the country.
The ball will roll tonight starting at 7:00 p.m., in a series of reserved predictions that promise great emotions from the first minute.