The semifinals of the First Division of Clausura 2026 started this weekend with two very different results that leave the series open for the return matches on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10.
Nueva Santa Rosa and Deportivo San Pedro FC tied 1-1 at the Pedro García Arredondo Stadium in the most anticipated duel of the phase, with a goal from Alexis Barrientos for the Paneleros and Santiago Gómez for the Shecanos, in a series that remains completely open and where the winner will obtain the direct promotion ticket to the National League.
Suchitepéquez took advantage in the other key by beating Chichicasteco FC at home at the Carlos Salazar Hijo Stadium in Mazatenango with goals from Fabricio González and Andrés Lezcano, taking a big step towards the final and leaving the visitors with the obligation to come back in the second leg on Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Tzocomá Stadium. The Masheños arrive with an advantage but the series is not closed for a Chichicasteco that has shown character throughout the competition.
The most striking thing about this semi-final phase is the reunion between Nueva Santa Rosa and San Pedro FC, both teams have half a guaranteed promotion ticket for having reached the final of the previous tournamentso the winner of this series will obtain direct promotion to the National League, in what would be a historic milestone for any of the two clubs that have never played in the highest category of Guatemalan soccer.
One-way results
- Nueva Santa Rosa 1-1 San Pedro FC — Pedro García Arredondo Stadium
- Suchitepéquez 2-0 Chichicasteco FC — Carlos Salazar Jr. Stadium, Mazatenango
Return matches
- San Pedro FC vs. Nueva Santa Rosa — Sampedrano Municipal Stadium
- Chichicasteco FC vs. Suchitepéquez — Tzocomá Stadium
Nueva Santa Rosa reaches the second leg at the Sampedrano Municipal Stadium in San Pedro Sacatepéquez with a draw as a result, in a series where any result is possible. The Paneleros, who already demonstrated the ability to come back in the Apertura 2025 final, know that they will need a victory in San Pedro territory to secure their direct promotion ticket. San Pedro, on the other hand, will play at home with the support of its fans and will seek to take advantage of that advantage to reach the final and complete the historic promotion that all its fans long for.