BELMOPAN, BLZ. - Guatemala made the short trip to Belize for a Friday night League B Group D match-up under the lights at FFB Stadium in Belmopan and return home with all three points after a 2-1 win.
Guatemala GK Nicholas Hagen won a battle in the 20th minute with Belize’s Eugene Martinez, who tried to open the scoring with a floated header, but saw that effort tipped over the bar.
Hagen’s opposite number also impressed, with Belize GK Charles Tillett moving to his right and stopping a penalty from Carlos Mejia in the 18th minute after Guatemala FW Darwin Lom was taken down in the box.
The visitors scored the first two goals of the match. The first came in the 30th minute, when Guatemala FW Oscar Castellanos capped a furious counter-attack by heading in a cross from Mejia.
The lead was doubled in the 44th minute with one of the most impressive goals of the tournament. Oscar Santis took a big touch near the corner of the area to put the ball on his left foot and bent his shot from distance into the goal.
Despite going down 2-0, Belize quickly had an answer. Belize MF Jordy Polanco put his head onto a corner kick in first half stoppage time and was able to beat Hagen.
Belize searched for a late equalizer, but the Guatemalan defense held firm to secure the three points.
Guatemala now turns its attention to its Nations League finale Monday, hosting French Guiana with the winner of that game earning promotion to League A and qualifying directly to the Gold Cup.
Belize will look for its first CNL win of this campaign, traveling to meet the Dominican Republic.
