Jamaica 0 Guatemala 1
June 16 – It has been 12 years since Guatemala have beaten Jamaica. Six days ago they lost 3-0 to the Jamaicans in World Cup 2026 qualifying. On the opening night of their Gold Cup campaign they turned the form book on its head.
It was a win that was cheered every kick of the way by a 16,000 Los Angeles crowd of Guatemalan supporters whose community has been under siege from a government intent on willowing out its Hispanic population.
Guatemala were good for the win in all respects. Jamaica, strong on muscle, pace and power were out-fought by a team that turned up for a scrap and put everything on the line. Jamaica manager Steve McClaren has big job to do find some rhythm in this Jamaican team based on this performance. On a big night their big players, predominantly drawn from the English leagues, just didn’t turn up and when they eventually started to look a threat it was just too little too late.
In contrast Guatemala and their Guatemalan LA community did turn out in force in an impressive display of support for their team and love for their community. As at Mexico’s game at the SoFi Stadium on Saturday, it was a perfect way to spend 90 minutes lost in the passion of who you are and where you come from.
There were no political banners or chants, just the constant rhythm of Guate’s non-stop beating drums and their fans connecting with each other and their team.
Guatemala won the battle of bands without a contest. The Reggae Boyz struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the intensity of the occasion and the match.
From before the national anthems were played the Guatemalans roared and roared… and roared.
Guatemala started the fastest and in the third minute had a shot easily gathered by Andre Blake. In truth it was a lame attempt, but how Guate roared.
The first real chance came in the 12th minute when a sweeping passing movement from Guatemala’s defence saw Oscar Santis square the ball to Kevin Ramriez in front of goal only for him to miscue his strike over the bar.
All the meaningful possession was Guatemala’s and on 17 minutes Guatemala thought they were one up. A ball over the top to Santis saw him strike the ball first time past Blake, only for the referees assistant to flag offside. Cue more noise from Guate’s unrelenting fans.
Jamaica having ceded the first 20 minutes of possession to Guatemala were starting to put passages of their own play together.
On 25 minutes Leon Bailey was brought down on the right hand side of the box. Demarai Gray fired the free kick over. Renaldo Cephas on Jamaica’s left was tormenting Guate’s rightback Aaron Herrera but a ball across the box fell too awkwardly for Bailey.
Just after the half hour mark the stadium exploded. A long ball from the right found Darin Lom in the box who back heeled to Santos who buried the ball in the back of Blake’s net. This time the goal stood; 1-0 to Guatemala and the crowd went wild(er) and the band played on.
Jamaica looked to muscle their way back into contention. Warner Brown headed over from a corner on 39 minutes. Gray picked up the ball inside his own half three minutes later and drove towards goal but dragged his shot wide. Jamaica were now holding a better midfield shape but Gray had left his shooting boots at home.
Jamaica came out from the break with more intent but Guatemala weathered the pace and the power and on 56 minutes had a call for a handball turned down.
Jamaica were desperately trying to move up a gear but couldn’t keep hold of the ball long enough in the face of the Guatemalan intensity on the pitch and oozing from the stands.
On 70 minutes a Rubio Mendes header forced a good save from Blake diving to his right. Four minutes later Pedro Altan, also on as a sub, turned in the box only to be kept out by Blake this time diving to his left.
Jamaica were under pressure and looked rattled, still giving the ball away needlessly.
Michail Antonio, returning to football after a horrible car crash in England in March, was called into action with 10 minutes to go.
Guatemala were now defending with 10 men in the box.
In the 88th minute Antonio won a free kick on the right. Nicholas Hagen punched the ball away. Jamaica were pumping every ball and everything they had into the box. In added time an on-rushing Ethan Pinnock headed agonisingly over. It was Jamaica’s best chance on a night where they rarely threatened the Guatemalan goal.
The final whistle was met by an ear splitting crescendo of joy and relief. Guatemala are up and running. Jamaica are, well, who knows, they didn’t seem to.
| Grp C | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Guatemala | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Jamaica | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Guadeloupe | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
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