Guatemala rides Mendez brace to win vs. Dominican Republic

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA - A pair of goals from Rubio Rubin pushed Guatemala to a 2-0 victory against the Dominican Republic in Group D of League B on Monday at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.

The Dominican Republic had an early chance to get a goal away from home, with FW Gianluigi Sueva putting a shot on target that tested Guatemala GK Ricardo Jerez early, but the shot-stopper was up to the task.

The visitors again had an opportunity in the seventh when Dominican Republic MF Ronaldo Vasquez skipped around a defender to the end line to set up FW Rafael Mata, but the shot was deflected.

After an earlier miss, Rubin wouldn’t be denied a debut goal at the second time of asking in the 32nd minute. A team move from Los Chapines started by MF Fabian Messina ended with a cross from Jayson Made that a Dominican defender deflected. It fell to Rubin, however, who finished with his right foot from outside the box.

There was a chance for Dominican Republic to draw level in the 53rd minute when a corner kick fell to DF Christian Schoissengeyr in the box after being flicked ahead by a teammate. The defender lined up a right-footed shot, but saw it deflected before it could hit the mark.

In the 76th minute, the Dominican Republic was down to 10 men when Schoissengeyr pulled Rubin down inside the box, leading to a penalty and a sending off. Rubin then sent it to GK Antonio Santurro’s right as he dove left, converting the penalty and doubling Guatemala’s lead.

The contest finished 10 versus 10 after Guatemala DF Moises Hernandez, into the match as a substitute, saw a direct red for a tackle in the 83rd minute.

The match closes the June window for both teams, with Guatemala tied for the group league with seven points, though French Guiana could reclaim sole possession of first with a result against Belize on Tuesday. The DR closes the group with four points from four games. Both will return to CNL action in March 2023.