“Kenneth Paal booked for a foul, an early sign of the match's physical edge”
“Matt Evans scores the only goal of the match in stoppage time to win it for Guatemala”
Pivotal
Guatemala
Suriname
Outstanding performance
Guatemala•DefenderGuatemala controlled the game for long spells, out-passing and out-shooting Suriname while dominating possession 54-46, but struggled to turn that pressure into clear-cut chances until the very end. The breakthrough came only after Suriname's Richonell Margaret was sent off for an argument just after coming on as a substitute, leaving the visitors to defend with ten men for the final half hour. Guatemala kept probing through fresh legs off the bench, and it was another substitute, Matt Evans, who found the decisive moment in the 90th minute to snatch all three points. For Guatemala, the win keeps their Nations League campaign on track, while Suriname will rue the ill-discipline that cost them a man and ultimately the match.
How entertaining was this match?
Guatemala host group leaders Suriname needing nothing less than a victory to leapfrog their rivals and secure a quarter-final spot in CONCACAF Nations League League A. Just four days after a tense 0-0 draw in Paramaribo, the rematch carries win-or-go-home stakes for the hosts, while Suriname can advance with a draw.
