The Guatemala selection He fell this Wednesday, July 2 at the 2025 Gold Cup semifinal and said goodbye to the dream of playing his first final in this tournament.
Guatemala made a decent game, But a double by Diego Luna He snatched the illusion of fighting for the title. Now, the Bicolor will return to the country after signing its best participation in 29 years.
From the hand of Luis Fernando Tena, Guatemala advanced to the semifinals after overcoming the group stage, in which he shared a group with Jamaica, Panama and Guadalupe. In the quarterfinals, He eliminated Canada.
Against the United States, the Bicolor showed a good image again, but some specific errors ended up costing defeat.
What happened to the United States and what should Guatemala improve in the face of the World Cup qualifiers?
Inaccuracies in the first 15 minutes:
In the previous matches, Guatemala showed defensive solidity and high concentration in the initial minutes. However, before the United States, the bicolor was nervous and it was difficult to enter the game. The best moments of the United States coincided with that span of disconnection, and Diego Luna marked a double before the 15th minute, which ended up deciding the duel.
Pedro Altán by Olger Escobar in the eleven:
Luis Fernando Tena sold his approach. Pedro Altán replaced Olger Escobar in the starting eleven and, although he ran and fought, his performance was discreet and did not contribute the solutions that Montreal’s youth did offer when he entered. Escobar scored at minute 80 the goal that gave hope to Guatemala.
Very late changes:
Luis Fernando Tena made his first modifications until the 65th minute. The income of Franco, Castellanos, Escobar, Lom and Ordonez gave Guatemala impulse, but did not have enough time to be decisive.
Lack of forcefulness:
Guatemala finished off more times than the United States: 18 shots, of which 5 went to the arch, in front of the US 12. However, he paid his lack of effectiveness expensive. Rubio Rubín, Óscar Santis and José Morales had opportunities to expand the score.