The Guatemalan national team defeated Suriname 3-1 on Tuesday at the end of the group stage of the CONCACAF qualifiers, a result that, combined with Panama’s victory, deprived the Caribbean team of a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup and relegated them to the intercontinental playoff.
At the Manuel Felipe Carrera ‘El Trébol’ stadium, the Guatemalan team, already without mathematical options to qualify, played for honor and gave their fans one last joy against an opponent that came in as group A leader, but succumbed to the pressure.
Guatemala unleashes a landslide
Although Guatemala dominated the pace in the first half, the score did not change until the second half.
Darwin Lom opened the account in the 52nd minute with an accurate header after a cross from Óscar Santis, destabilizing the visitors’ scheme.
Just five minutes later, Olger Escobar, who had just joined the team, extended the lead with a quality finish after a pass from Rudy Muñoz.
The local party continued in the 65th minute, when Oscar Santis eluded the goalkeeper in an individual play to score the temporary goal.
Suriname, obliged to win to secure first place, was overcome by the fact that Panama beat El Salvador at the same time.
The discount came very late, in the 93rd minute, through an own goal by defender Nicolás Samayoa.
With this outcome, Panama qualifies directly to the World Cup, Suriname will have to seek a ticket in the playoffs, and Guatemala closes the qualifying cycle by washing its image at home.
Technical data
Guatemala: Nicholas Hagen; Nicolás Samayoa, José Pinto, José Morales, Aaron Herrera; Pedro Altán (Escobar, m.56), José Rosales (Saravia, m.72), Jonathan Franco; Darwin Lom (Rubín, m.68), Rudy Muñoz (López, m.73) and Óscar Santis (Evans, m.68).
Coach: Luis Fernando Tena.
Suriname: Warner Hahn; Myenty Abena (Denswil, m.79), Shaquille Pinas, Djavan Anderson, Ridgeciano Haps (Balker, m.62); Dhoraso Klas (Misidjan, m.62), Justin Lonwijk (Grot, m.45), Kenneth Paal; Tjaronn Chery, Richonell Margaret and Denzel Jubitana (Becker, m.53).
Coach: Stanley Menzo.
Goals: 1-0, 52nd minute: Darwin Lom. 2-0, 57th minute: Olger Escobar. 3-0, 65th minute: Oscar Santis. 3-1, 90+3 minutes: Nicolás Samayoa (own goal).
Referee: Juan Calderón of Costa Rica. Yellow cards for José Rosales (55th minute) for Guatemala and Kenneth Paal (88th minute) for Suriname.
Incidents: Match of the sixth and final date of Group A of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, played at the Manuel Felipe Carrera Stadium (El Trébol) in Guatemala City.
With information from EFE
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