Guatemala Vs Costa Rica

Guatemala and Costa Rica are set to continue their perfect starts in the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League as they face each other on Monday, September 9, 2024, in the second round of matches. The encounter will take place at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.

In their opening games of the tournament, both teams demonstrated impressive form. Guatemala, known as Los Mayas, secured a 3-1 victory over Martinique, while Costa Rica, or Los Ticos, cruised to a 3-0 win against Guadeloupe.

Match Preview

The Guatemalan team made a statement in their opening match with a high-intensity performance from the first whistle. They scored early, with a goal in the third minute against Martinique. Despite Martinique's attempts to equalize, Guatemala maintained their lead and demonstrated superior quality in the attacking third. The win was a significant boost for Guatemala, ending a three-match winless streak across all competitions and a three-game drought in the Nations League.

At Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, Guatemala has a strong track record. They have never lost a Nations League match at this venue, with their only blemish being a 1-1 draw with Panama in September 2023. This solid home record will be a source of confidence for Guatemala as they prepare to face Costa Rica.

Last season in League A, Guatemala experienced a mixed bag after their opening win. Following a 2-0 victory over El Salvador in their first game, they managed just one point from their final three fixtures. This history highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in the Nations League, and Guatemala will be keen to avoid a repeat performance.

Historically, Guatemala has had the upper hand against Costa Rica in recent encounters. They have won the last two meetings between the sides, including a narrow 1-0 victory in their most recent clash in Guatemala City in 2019. This winning streak will add to the confidence of Los Chapines heading into this match.

On the other hand, Costa Rica's opening match was a strong debut for new manager Claudio Vivas. The Costa Ricans demonstrated their attacking prowess and defensive solidity in their 3-0 win over Guadeloupe. Costa Rica dominated possession with 62% and registered six shots on target, showcasing their ability to create high-quality scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Costa Rica maintained their usual compact and well-organized structure. This was evident in their ability to secure a clean sheet, continuing a streak of three consecutive clean sheets against CONCACAF opponents. However, Costa Rica's upcoming fixtures will test their abilities away from home, a venue where they have struggled historically.

Costa Rica's away record in the Nations League is less impressive. They have lost two of their last three away matches in the tournament, including a defeat to Panama in the quarter-finals last November. Their performance in Central American away games has also been problematic, with two losses to Panama by a combined score of 5-1.

The history of Costa Rica’s matches in Guatemala City has not been favorable. Their last victory in the city was a friendly match against Guatemala in January 1988, which they won 2-1 at the Estadio del Ejercito. This stadium was demolished in 2021, and since then, Los Ticos have not managed to secure a win in Guatemala City.

As both teams come into this match with strong performances from their opening games, the clash at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter. Guatemala will look to leverage their solid home record and recent winning streak against Costa Rica, while Los Ticos will aim to overcome their away game challenges and continue their impressive form under Claudio Vivas.

This match will be a crucial test for both teams as they aim to maintain their unbeaten records and position themselves favorably in the CONCACAF Nations League standings.