On June 21, 2025, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Guatemala vs Panamá opened eyes in Group C of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Both sides arrived unbeaten—Guatemala fresh off a defensive 1–0 win over Jamaica, and Panamá following a pulsating 5–2 drubbing of Guadeloupe.
What’s at Stake?
This Panamá vs Guatemala duel wasn’t just any game—it was a narrative clash. Despite a near-even all-time record (Panamá 17 wins, Guatemala 15, 9 draws), Panamá has dominated recent encounters since 2005—winning 9 of the last 14 meetings, while Guatemala managed just one .
Both teams delivered three points in their opener, making this match the likely decider for first place in Group C.
Tactical Preview & Player Watch
- Guatemala (Coach Luis Fernando Tena): A rock-solid backline, disciplined midfield, led by attacking sparkplug Óscar Santis, who scored the team’s lone goal versus Jamaica en.wikipedia.org.
- Panamá (Coach Thomas Christiansen): High-pressing 4-2-3-1, balancing defensive structure with flair—especially from Ismael Díaz, Eduardo Guerrero, and rising striker Tomás Rodríguez, who sealed their opener with a stoppage-time goal Tomás Rodríguez, Panama’s young forward, has 7 caps and a goal in this tournament—expect him to be a creative threat.
YouTube resource to watch
Key Match Highlights
| Topic | Guatemala | Panamá |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Cup opener | 1–0 win vs Jamaica (Santis goal) | 5–2 win vs Guadeloupe (Díaz brace, Guerrero PK, Rodríguez header) |
| Recent head-to-head | Only win since 2005 was Guatemala’s draw | 9 wins since 2005 |
| Style of play | Defensive solidity, counter attacks, organized midfield | High-pressing with striking firepower |
| Key players to watch | Óscar Santis | Ismael Díaz, Eduardo Guerrero, Tomás Rodríguez |
| What’s at stake | Top two places to advance out of Group C | Same, with momentum and confidence in their favor |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have Guatemala and Panamá played?
They’ve met 41 times before; this was their 42nd Gold Cup match.
When was the last Guatemala win?
Their last Gold Cup victory over Panamá was in August 2005
Who is Tomás Rodríguez?
A 26-year-old Panamanian forward who scored against Guadeloupe and plays for Monagas in Venezuela with a strong goal record.
What style do both teams deploy?
Guatemala rates on disciplined defense and counters, while Panamá plays a high-pressing, attack-first approach.
What does this match decide?
Points here determine who tops the group and enjoys a theoretically easier quarter-final path.
Tryout these resources too
- Follow live updates from Concacaf Gold Cup via Twitter: @GoldCup
- Panamanian fanbase updates: check Twitter account for Tomás Rodríguez @TomRodriguez9
- Guatemalan coverage via Facebook: Selección Nacional de Guatemala page shares training insights and interviews.
GuatemalaVsPanamá #GoldCup2025 #PanamaVsGuatemala #TomásRodríguez #CopaOro2025 #CentralAmericaFootball
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