MIAMI – League A of the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League got underway on Thursday, with the six nations in Group A beginning their quest for the championship.
Suriname opened the day with a significant victory against neighbors Guyana. Costa Rica earned its first three points over Guadeloupe, and Guatemala also began with a win against Martinique.
The three winners rose to the top of Group A with three points each. Costa Rica ended the first matchday of the group in first place due to goal difference.
Guyana vs. Suriname
Suriname won 3-1 against Guyana to extend its unbeaten run in the CNL to three as Group A got underway at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora, Guyana.
The match marked a milestone for the Golden Jaguars, as Guyana made its League A debut following three seasons in League B.
Djevencio van der Kust opened the scoring in the 18’ with a finish to the far post to capitalize on an assist from Virgil Misidjan.
Omari Glasgow converted from the spot in the 41’ to equalize for Guyana, recording his 11th CNL goal to extend his lead as the nation’s leading scorer in the competition.
Jaden Montor reestablished the lead for Suriname in the 66’ with a powerful strike from the right side of the box to beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Misidjan extended the lead for the visitors in the 83’, with a tidy finish inside the box to seal the three points.
Costa Rica vs. Guadeloupe
Costa Rica defeated Guadeloupe 3-nil to take the lead in Group A at Estadio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica.
Following a scoreless first half, captain Francisco Calvo opened the scoring in the 50’ with a header following a corner kick service by Joel Campbell.
Ariel Lassiter extended the lead for the hosts in the 77’ with a right-footed finish from close range.
Warren Madrigal scored the third goal of the match in the 81’ with a ground strike to the bottom right corner. Juan Pablo Vargas delivered the long ball into space from a set-piece.
Guatemala vs. Martinique
Guatemala won 3-1 over Martinique to close the day with a thriller at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
The victory extended an all-time home record to eight undefeated matches for Los Chapines. The meeting presented a first-ever encounter between the two nations.
Guatemala took the lead in the 3’ with Rubio Rubin capitalizing on a cross from Óscar Santis.
The hosts came close to extending their lead in the 10’ and 22’ through opportunities from Rubin and Alejandro Galindo, respectively, but Martinique goalkeeper Yannis Clementia denied their attempts.
Martinique equalized in the 51’ through a powerful header to the near post from Kevin Appin on a corner kick opportunity.
José Pinto reclaimed the lead for Guatemala in the 61’ by converting from the penalty spot.
Martinique had a penalty opportunity in the 72’, taken by Brighton Labeau, but Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen stopped his attempt.
José Martínez secured the three points for the hosts in the 90’+5 with a right-footed strike inside the box.
Group A will resume on Monday, beginning with Guadeloupe against Suriname and Martinique against Guyana. A Central American clash will conclude the day’s activities as Guatemala hosts Costa Rica.
