Jose Pinto, Olger Escobar and Rubio Rubin found the back of the net to lift Guatemala to a 3-2 win over Guadeloupe in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C action Tuesday in Houston.
That win, combined with Jamaica’s loss to Panama on Tuesday, pushed Guatemala (2-1-0, 6 points) into second place in the group and earned them advancement to the knockout stage. Panama swept the group round-robin.
Guadeloupe (0-3-0, 0 points) didn’t lie down, cutting into 2-0 and 3-1 deficits but never managing to tie the match. Ange-Freddy Plumain and Matthias Phaeton recorded their goals.
Pinto’s goal was a perfect penalty kick taken in the 13th minute to open the scoring. Rubin assisted Escobar in the 29th minute to make it a 2-0 scoreline that stood until halftime.
Plumain also scored via penalty kick to get Guadeloupe on the board in the 50th minute. Rubin notched Guatemala’s all-important third goal in the 70th by knocking in a cross from Rudy Munoz.
Phaeton curled in a shot inside the far post in the 78th minute, but that was all Guadeloupe could muster.
Nicholas Hagen made one save for Guatemala. Rubens Adelaide had two for Guadeloupe.
–Field Level Media
