Guadeloupe edge Guatemala in PKs to reach group stage

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Guadeloupe are headed to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage after surviving a drama-filled penalty shootout, edging Guatemala 10-9 after a 1-1 draw in the Second Round of the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

With the shootout win, Guadeloupe advance to Group C where they will take on Costa Rica, Jamaica and Suriname.

Guadeloupe came out strong and they quickly silenced the heavy number of Guatemala fans in attendance in the 6’ when Matthias Phaeton finished a counter-attack with an excellent right-footed strike for a 1-0 Guadeloupe lead.

Guatemala would have an answer though, as Luis Martinez steered a shot through a sea of defenders and past Guadeloupe GK Yohann Thurman, who was well off his line, to bring the Chapines level 1-1 in the 17’.

Both sides then had chance to go ahead before the halftime break, first Guatemala through Darwin Lom, whose shot squirted wide, followed by Phaeton forcing Guatemala GK Nicholas Hagen into a stretch save.

The second half was also full of chances, but no goals. Mickael Alphonse and Phaeton each had looks for Les Gwada Boys, while headers from Moises Hernandez and Gerardo Gordillo came close for the Chapines.

In the end, it went to penalties and after 12 rounds, Dimitri Cavare converted his second penalty to secure the 10-9 shootout win for Guadeloupe and a first Gold Cup group stage berth since 2011.

Penalty shootout

• Marvin Ceballos x 
• Dimitri Cavare 1-0 
• José Martínez 1-1 
• Matthias Phaeton 2-1 
• Oscar Santis 2-2 
• Anthony Baron x 
• Rudy Barrientos 3-2 
• Mavrick Annerose 3-3 
• Mosiés Hernández 4-3 
• Steve Solvet 4-4 
• Wilson Pineda 5-4 
• Quentin Annette 5-5 
• José Pinto 6-5 
• Thomas Pineau 6-6 
• Rodrigo Saravia 7-6
• Ronan Hauterville 7-7 
• Kevin Moeson 8-8 
• Gerardo Gordillo saved 
• Mickael Alphonse saved 
• Ricardo Jérez 9-8 
• Yohann Thuram 9-9 
• Marvin Ceballos x 
• Dimitri Cavare 10-9