The Guatemalan and US U-20 teams will once again experience a duel that brings back bad memories for the Americans, but knowing that history today is different and leans in their favor.
The duel that opens the quarter-finals of CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship Guanajuato 2024 It’s the USA vs. Guatemala match, just like it was at the U-20 World Cup in Guatemala 2011, when Chapin’s team qualified for their first ever Youth World Cup.
2011 story
Guatemala hosted the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which was held from 28 March to 10 April, with 12 teams participating.
The Chapines were in Group A and qualified for second place after a 2-0 win over Jamaica. They lost to Honduras 1-3.
With a ticket in hand, Guatemala faced the United States in the quarterfinals. The Americans reached this stage as leaders of Group B after beating Suriname (4-0) and Panama (2-0).
With the usual favoritism, the United States played Guatemala on the night of April 6, and after an epic match, Chapin’s team won 2-1 thanks to goals from Gerson Lima and Henry Lopez, qualifying for the first ever World Youth Championship.
A historic moment on this day
Eight years ago, Guatemala achieved historic qualification for the 2011 World Cup in Colombia with goals from Gerson Lima and Henry Lopez, qualifying for the first time in history for the FIFA World Cup Finals. #Famusguat pic.twitter.com/slp4SQSQ6X
– Beto (@LPX_RLeiva) April 6, 2019
the present
Thirteen years and almost four months later, the United States and Guatemala meet again in a quarterfinal duel that will secure a ticket to the World Cup. They also faced each other in the group stage of the 2015 World Cup in Jamaica, drawing 1-1.
The Chapines were the last team to secure a ticket to this stage of the 2024 World Cup in Guanajuato, thanks to Canada’s win over El Salvador and Guatemala’s 5-1 win over Haiti.
The United States, for its part, enters Tuesday’s match as the leader of Group A with 9 points after beating Jamaica (9-0), Cuba (4-0) and Costa Rica (1-0). The Americans have not conceded a single goal so far.
The match between Guatemala and North America will be held on Tuesday at 3:30 pm GMT at the Leon Stadium.
#Famusguat🇬🇹 | FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarter-Finals Schedule
The Guatemalan team won the last ticket to be present in this stage, which will grant the winners a ticket to the World Cup. https://t.co/lhaXTIeLeC
— United Sports Stations (@EUDeportes) July 28, 2024
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