Guatemala vs Martinique | 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League

it is the Nations League opener here in the capital city of Guatemala tonight where Guatemala and Martinique lock horns in League a a beautiful night for football here at the esto Doro guamuch Flores this is Sam goldfarm saying welcome from the capital city of Guatemala a pair of teams that have been in League a for a number of years at this point Martinique Mainstays of the Top Flight of Nations League football on the other side of things guala entering their second consecutive Nations League campaign in League a there's your look at the forecast 70° a little rainy tonight in Guatemala City it should make for an interesting fixture as you get your look at group a suram winning their opening fixture martinque and Guatemala playing the first of four matches for these two sides tonight Costa Rica right now is leading 2-n in their fixture so they may head top of the group depending on what transpires in the remainder of their match well for Guatemala last year in the Nations League they stayed up in League a by the skin of their teeth in the 2023 24 campaign escaped by a mere Point under Luis Fernando tenna martinque meanwhile two points away from their first ever quarterfinal appearance in this competition it makes for an interesting ju to position of sides in the Guatemalan Capital tonight a fortress here 26,000 strong in Guatemala tonight they call it Casto Del concetto which literally translates to concrete castle built in the 1940s it makes for a fantastic atmosphere and should be a lovely fixture say tonight for Guatemala the story coming in is how they build on the momentum from the draw against Uruguay on Sunday Pedro Alon bagging The Equalizer in that fixture can they carry it over now to a match in which they are well and truly favored on the other side Martinique is playing its first competitive fixture since its last Nations League Clash coming in late October of last year a French island nation that is not eligible to qualify for the World Cup so these these competitions the Gold Cup and this one probably two of the biggest fixtures on their docket all year long it's a team that goes through regular transition they've started to usher in a new Bevy of talent from Mainland France to factor into their side a lot of players coming into the fold around the early 2020s starting to make their mark here for martini while the players heading out onto the pitch Rubio Rubin at the back end of the side for guala a striker with MLS experience and the captain Jose Carlos Pinto at 31 years of age leading his side out for yet another Nations League competition we will briefly step aside when we return we will get set with lineups and kickoff from Guatemala City and [Music] [Music] [Music] spee spee spe [Applause] [Music] [Music] God [Music] [Music] [Music] h [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] we welcome you back into the esto Nal D Guam Flores the capital city of Guatemala is the center stage for this Nations League fixture tonight A Guatemala side in its second campaign in League a a Martinique Squad that has been the main St of League a throughout its tenure here's your look at the Guatemala 11 Captain by Jose Carlos spinel the notable man reent reentering the side Rubio Ruben listed as Rubio Mendes on your screen a man with 3 years of MLS experience under his belts at Ray Salt Lake and then in behind him Alejandro Galindo making his 55th cap the creative number 10 in behind it's a dynamic Guatemala side with significant attacking Talent the referees tonight presiding over it is Jose torz Ruben Perez Pedro Figaroa and Ismael Coro the fourth official tonight are are the remainder of the crew the two captains Brighton leau and Jose Carlos Pinto will swap pleasantries here at the center line in Guatemala City the martinque 11 a few changes from the last friendly Mark Kaa since 2021 has been the manager Brighton lebau is the Talisman up front the 28-year-old Who currently makes his trade in leag Du and then Yannis clementia the goalkeeper making his 15th cap tonight it's a Martinique side that has undergone tremendous turnover since the early in 2000s and 2010s there's been a new generation of players flocking from Mainland France that have entered the national team ranks of martinque and it has made for a new guard of players for this Martina national team we are just about set to get underway Giannis clementia a 27-year-old between this sticks making his trade in League duh with K Luis fernandoo tenna gives final instructions from the touchline to Los choppiness of Guatemala [Music] Guatemala a side that no doubt is favored tonight they've got the home crowd behind them as they embark on one of the more difficult Nations League slates in 2425 we've gotten the referee signal and underway from Guatemala City Los choppiness and Le Marino locking horns for the first time in Nations league history we say hello and thank you for joining us Sam goldar bringing you all of the action from estadio Doro guamuch Flores a venue named after doroto guamuch the 1952 Boston Marathon winner just four years after the stadium was built it is known for its rockus environment in Central America Galindo picking this up and was looking long for Rubio Rubin ultimately Falls pleasantly to jannis clementia man born in Fort the France the capital city of martini it is a very interesting ju to position between these two sides Guatemala a team with a more established history a gold cup from the 1960s in its cabinet as you get another look at this chance that goes begging and a team that has been on occasion close to the Playoff round in qualifying for the World Cup on the other side it's a more tenique side that is ineligible for World Cup competition but has been parked in League a after winning its first four nations League qualifiers in 2018 and 2019 and they've managed to stay up with each passing campaign Guatemala had to achieve successive promotions to get to League a here is the long ball to Fabian who cuts in side was looking for Brighton leau and stabbed away into the path of Elmore Cardoza making his 10th cap as a Guatemalan national team [Music] player there is Jose Morales the main stay at Municipal at left back a Guatemalan team that unsurprisingly funnels a lot of its national team Talent from the top tiers of the Liga National in Guatemala martinque they are pulling from a lot of lower leagues in France although the martinque champion naal also is a beacon of talent surging forward Ruben is free and Taps it in the back of the net guala strikes inside three minutes Rubio Rubin has Los chinz off to a flyer a dream start for Luis Fernando tan side Tena side and Guatemala 1 nil in [Applause] front a rapid break the Ross comes in and it's an excellent one from Oscar sanes Ruben is on side despite the appeals of the Martinique players and opens Guatemala's Nations League account in 24-25 unmarked no chance for clemena and Guatemala in [Applause] front a native of Beaverton Oregon who spent ample time at ra Salt Lake before recently being loaned out to kro in Liga mchis but was once a young Prodigy in the US Men's National Team system named the best young player in 2012 and made eight caps for the US Men's National Team but signed the onetime switch to gu Mala a few years back and that was his 10th goal as a member of close choppiness well you'd have to figure that must ease some of the nerves Guatemala entered tonight knowing this was a fixture it for all intents and purposes must win it has one of the most difficult schedules in League a and very little margin for error as that ball is fielded by [Music] balance this is a team that must play Costa Rica twice in the group which is an unenviable task considering they were on the fringes of getting that bu to the quarterfinals as being one of the top four santis another cross this one stabbed Away by pulo and out for a Guatemala throw there's your first look at eron Hera and he stands over the corner flag expecting to take a corner here the MLS man Hera and Cardoza in the vicinity an outswinger it falls former ores just floats it over the bar early pressure continuing to mount for Guatemala well if you're just joining us you've already missed Guatemala's opening goal Rubio Rubin need 28y olds scoring his 10th International goal for Guatemala a rapid start here at esto Doro guamuch Flores Fabian toward the by line and out of play for martinique's first corner of the night [Music] it is Samuel renell the 22-year-old who stands over it an outswinger charged away and into the path of santis only as far as hulo who just drags It Wide Martinique keeping Guatemala on their toes though it's a ball within outswing doesn't cause much danger but ultimately cleared unconvincingly and balance while he wasn't far off [Music] now over the top towards Patrick burner a man with five seasons of leag uh experience under his belt was once a target of a myriad of English Premier League clubs Fabian would have been hoping for better spin off his boots it has not been an ideal start for the martinque coaching staff team already in a hostile environment a side that has not won a single Road match in its three previous Nations League campaigns but has managed to stay up by the skin of its teeth in the first two last year far more success with a pair of 1- nil home victories Luis Fernando tenna someone who has engineered a complete transformation for Guatemala in his three years at the helm santis surging ahead cross that narrowly evades the oncoming traffic in the Box Franco toward the back post finally charged out of danger by mutase and Falls to leau a crunching challenge Hera slithering cuts it back an excellent stop from clemena the pressure continuing to mount for Guatemala and Rubio ruin nearly found himself at the [Applause] Double Rapids down the right flank have Guatemala bin Ruben does well out with his Defender and clemena may have saw it late it did just enough to get a pair of pause to [Applause] it a second corner of the night for Los [Music] choppiness with inswing and clementia claims well there is your look at the main man was the main stay for martinque in the 2023 Gold Cup and also kept three consecutive clean sheets to round out their Nations League campaign a year ago someone who has been on the fringes of leaga for a number of years although has made his trade in League duwa the second tier in France playing currently with khah in that League well you just see Martini unable to get out of the gates just yet found themselves drilled with a Haymaker 3 minutes in and haven't properly recovered just yet Mark colas side has been known for punching above its weight on the regional stage it finds itself well and truly on the back foot here Doo and this is Fabian linking well with leau although Shrugged off it and the challenge over zealous from Alejandro [Applause] Franco it's is Elmer Cardoza receiving the talking to from Jose Torres it's an ambitious tackle studs up did get the ball but Jonathan Franco caught him on the follow through [Applause] it is Samuel ryell to take this set piece for martini flicked along and no trouble in the ends for the men between the sticks Nicholas Hagen well there is the Columbus Crew man had a lot of success recently with the crew started the leagues Cup Final made three saves and kept a clean sheet and that victory over lafc on August 25th he's primarily been the backup for Columbus though for Guatemala has been a Mainstay for the better part of The Last 5 Years his 44th cap tonight someone who previously was making his trade with Kumon casones Fabian a heavy touch runs it out of [Applause] play he became a start with koni casones in Liga naal the Top Flight in Guatemala also had stins in aeran in Norway before he ultimately wound up signing with the crew this off season it's made quite made for quite the goalkeeping competition to say the least and now trusted to play in big finals as well quarter of an hour gone here from Guatemala City martinque still trying to get on track here Dred with an early goal and are just starting to settle down since they're beginning to rack up the set pieces though Fabian and Balon standing over it Fabian taking it short and a loose pul Finds Its way to Morales Herrera numbers for Guatemala on the counter played low and just beyond the reach of Oscar sanes for a Guatemala corner it's fair to say this is a more than Bright Start for Los chapines the counterattacks have been lightning quick era stands over this man who's made has trade the last six years in MLS an outswinger flicked along it's loose still and finally stabed away at the third time of asking that has been a man that has been peppered tonight already [Applause] Hera well if you're just joining us on Paramount plus we thank you for tuning in tonight Guatemala and martinque in the First Nations League fixture of 2024 25 for both these teams here in League a a six team group in group a the top two earn safe passage to the quarterfinals which is ultimately the goal for both these teams neither have secured safe progression that far in the competition the bottom two in the group are relegated to leag B and the middle two remain put both these teams occupied the third and fourth spots a year ago for Martinique side that won both its home matches but was throttled away from home and as such never properly had a shot to reach the quarterfinals finished two points off the top two guadala it was the Bright Start to Nation league play and then things unraveled quickly Fabian crosses it it was near the Dome of Brighton leau and he may have just skimmed it wide there's the ball forward santis rolling it wide well there is the man who now makes his trade in the Georgian Top Flight in Europe this one of the top young talents at kamun IES for making the move to Dio tii recently it's been a regular on the right flank in the 2024 season with [Music] tbli here's the long throw cindo Morales charged away what mala keeping martinque pinned deep in their own half [Applause] Fabien has been a silver lining for Martinique in the opening 20 minutes but so far Rubio rubin's third minute strike making the difference santis not their Low cross charged away by the 33-year-old Muki another cross in morales Cardoza overlap Morales is cross back post clemena at full extension makes the stop an excellent chance from Galindo [Applause] it is unyielding at this point from Guatemala excellent interplay you see Morales just dink the cross cindo gets his head on it and it was certainly On Target warranted an excellent stop in the end from clementia who has kept L matin Nino in this match at the moment it has the sense it's only a matter of time before Guatemala break through again and at us cross it's a good one just altered [Music] enough for Guatemala it's been an incredible turnaround a national team that frankly struggled in the late 2010s dealt with the after effects of a 2-year corruption ban as Ruben's effort rolls out of play and due to that b they missed out on the initial Nations League qualifiers in 201819 and as a result they were forced to begin in group C now they were promoted relatively quickly from League C to league b and the inar season of Nations League competition but it is the architect Luis Fernando tenna who has taken the this side in particular to new heights since taking the Helm of the club in 2021 earning them the promotion to League a in 2223 and guiding them to the Gold Cup quarterfinals later that summer as well a Monumental step forward for a team that had not done that in 12 years times prior to that he has this Guatemala side playing with a new degree of swagger and attacking prowess here's the cross Fabian flicks it along charged away towards Reuben one back though by martinque do so that won't quite trouble Hagen it's been a matter of half chances so far for Le matino not a bad idea from Doo would have needed a slightly better final product though Galindo the municipal man at 32 years of age linking well with Hera that cross won't live on the highlight reel he's had a number of good ones tonight fortunately for him that was not one of those 25 minutes gone from the capital city of guala at the esto Doro guamuch Flores a venue that is just shy of 80 years old and still the top venue in Guatemalan football a packed Crown tonight it has made for a rockus environment and they've been treated already to some terrific early action from Los chapz do so this is ryell clever link up here renell weaving through trouble it's an excellent ball wide and Patrick burner would have hoped to field it better for martinque a very unique situation a French island territory that houses just under under 350,000 people and all of its citizens are eligible to represent the French national team so it makes selection difficult as the top talents in the country likely opt to play for France although that is not necessarily always the case Mark kala has done a sensational job with the Personnel he's had at his disposal also taking the job in 2021 and guiding them into to group a of the Nations League during qualifying it is arguably its best period of footballing history since it made the Gold Cup quarterfinals in 2002 now the Gold Cup in 2023 went anything but according to plan but they did earn their fifth ever win in that competition and last year earning two wins and a draw out of four matches did the trick to help them stay up comfortably in leag of the Nations League it's a team that does not score many goals manage just two goals in that Nations League campaign a season [Music] ago but it is a team that has managed to remain defensively sound against some of its Regional peers issue tonight is parking the bus is effectively out the window at this stage they must Chase to secure results a pen forward to leau who's clattered down on the edge of the area and a free kick in a very inviting position for [Applause] martinque yellow shown in the process it appears to be to Jonathan Franco the first booking of the night forther side you get another look here errera the actual culprit perhaps a slightly cynical tackle shoulder toosh shoulder knows exactly what he's doing to prevent the oncoming surge of the [Applause] forward and this is well within the range of many of martinique's creative talents Fabian and ryell in the immediate vicinity ryell tries from afar and it was not a bad effort just didn't quite tip in time there are semblances of threat going forward for martinque that just didn't quite have the up and down motion required we rapidly approach the half hour mark from the capital city of Guatemala tonight A packed stadium in the capital city still 1 nil courtesy of Rubio rubin's third minute strike Martinique has shown flashes of attacking threat the other direction but it's been a match largely bossed by Los chapines and for neutrals that's an unsurprising scenario a side that would have been favored coming in no doubt especially given martinique's history of struggles on the [Applause] road this is Jose Morales the cross is deflected out of danger and a loose challenge a late one at that from Morales balance is prone on the pitch both seem to have have come off on the brutal end of [Applause] it it's a 50/50 challenge here and Morales slicing his boot into the studs of balance incidental but one that will leave a mark tomorrow for both [Applause] men Fabian weaving ahead ryell leau tries one it was dipping and mercifully beyond the far post at [Applause] that the counter beginning to pay dividends for [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Martinique another 4A forward for Guatemala santis herera santis crosses to the back post and the initial effort scuffed by castanos may have prevented that from developing you know a legitimate threat it has been a busy opening half hour for that man Yannis clementia a man who kept a clean sheet in the last three nations League matches of last season after martinque was frankly drubbed in their opener 3-0 at Guatemala still managed to stay up and comfortably a season ago in the Nations League santis to take this corner flicked along it's loose cindo Morales had a touch and somehow cleared out of trouble a rapid scramble around the goal mouth Guatemala for the time being unable to secure a second and the Chance finally lost they've continue to twist the screws this was a glaring opportunity see the initial effort from Galindo denied and Morales just can't get his feet on top of it a required intervention by the Martinique center backs pulo and balance [Music] a loose ball from Morales Fabian was space to run into already has flashed plenty of dynamism tonight but over hits that ball for Brighton leau promising counter stalling at the source we have to wonder what's in the minds of the Martina coaching staff at the minute a team known for its obdurate defense against conaf pierce it was breached inside 3 minutes and despite Stout defending out of possession since very little legitimate threat towards Nicholas Hagen's goal just yet [Music] gindo chipping It Forward santis Herrera with room to [Music] cross Progressive ball Reuben Rockets it off the side netting continuing to threaten though well boy are they glad to have him in the side he missed the friendly with Uruguay on Sunday a 1-1 draw Monumental result for Guatemala due to finishing up his duties with ceto and Liga mchis and now the international break has hit for effectively every league in the world and as such able to join Los chapines well before the Nations League opener Morales a lovely flick on header ardoa was running onto it and it was a required adjust adjustment from jores mutas another corner for Guatemala they are starting to [Music] mount it's become target practice for santis and Company [Music] himself and Cardoza in the immediate vicinity in swinger from santis rushing ahead not a bad effort at all from santis just knuckling wide there is clear hunger for a second and Oscar santis beginning to make his impact felt that was not far off by any means and perhaps if it doesn't knuckle in the manner it does that sneaks into the far corner cindo linking well with Ruben sprayed out of danger for the time being Cardoza is dropped to the deck this is a very enticing free kick position for Guatemala Kevin upan the culprit you see Galindo beginning to work his way into the match it's a sideswipe if that but it's enough contact to Garner Jose torres's attention allows santis more service from a very decent position here chipped Into the Heart of the area and may have whipped a bit too much beyond the heads of Los chiness it's run loose here space going forward martinque on the counter and burner just ran out of real estate a much needed last ditch tackle to make the difference [Music] [Applause] just when you least expect it now are these rapid breaks from Martini the Wingers especially Fabian and burner causing trouble and Brighton leau has always been in dangerous spots and the longer this remains 1 n you get the sense that perhaps sadala may start to tighten up already some frustration around the goal mouth as they've unsuccessfully tried to double the lead on a number of ifications Cardoza and the return ball slightly overcooked [Applause] we rapidly approached the business end of this first half Guatemala still pushing on as that ball for Ruben falling narrowly outside his reach there have been moments for martinque this is by far a defined script by any means but it is one where Guatemala's had the upper hands this is Kev aan L is unable to field it it's cleared only as far as [Applause] mutasi Muki Fabian this is Doo still looking for his next destination professionally despite a bevy of high quality experience in Mainland France it is a unique blend for this Martinique side on the other side Luis Fernando Tena has constructed a team that primarily consists of the stars of the Liga National in Guatemala there are exceptions of course but overall he prefers domestic talent to those making their trade overseas and it's worked out for him we've discussed the turnarounds W Mala making its first Gold Cup quarterfinal in 12 years last summer and narrowly falling to Jamaica in the quarterfinals it has been a tough out in conaf competition under his tutelage despite a stop start Nations League campaign a season ago this is one back Cardoza in space laying it off Reuben Falls to santis toward Cardoza unable to get his foot around it it had to be a pinpoint accurate cross and that it was not for Martinique we have mentioned the unique blend of players many of whom play in the domestic League of Martinique the martinque champion [Music] National but it's also a blend of many league on leag to players who are stars here's the ball forward burner goes down in the area and the referee immediately blowing a halt to this a heavy collision between burner and errera and as things stand the question is which way the referee points if it's in the area it would surely be a point to the spot you see burner go down and he actually may have been the one that clatter into her that uh and that may save Guatemala from a penalty and that it appears it was the case not much at I could do to vacate the vicinity and as such the whistle sounds against martinque one minute of stoppage time according to the fourth official Isel Coro tonight hey first half in which guadala has boss but there have been moments of magic for martini on the break Tashi playes unconvincingly here's the cross cleared only as far as [Music] Morales flattering it off the legs of a pan [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Fabian perhaps one final for I forward Galindo this is Reuben Rubio Reuben lentia denying it and the flag was up anyways and that is where we leave things after 45 minutes a first half that featured a rapid strike for Guatemala it's Rubio rubin's third minute opener which makes the difference but Guatemala unable to tack on a second despite its most Valiant of efforts Martinique had its moments but a side that was on the back foot and struggled for any semblance of positive possession but as things stand it is just a goal to separate the two teams at the moment Martinique well and truly in the match despite being on the back foot for the Lion Share of that first half well a first ever Nations League battle between Guatemala and martinque and the hosts on the front foot after 45 minutes we will step aside briefly when we return some first half stats and highlights [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] than [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] than [Applause] [Applause] that's [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] it's e get [Applause] [Music] we welcome you back into the esto Doro guamuch Flores in the capital city of Guatemala Guatemala City where it's 1 nil as we get start set for the start of the second half Los Chapin leading Le minino in this Nations league league a group a opener the first meeting in the competition between these two sides of course Guatemala dealing with the after effects of a 2-year corruption ban which cost them an opportunity to qualify by for League a back in 2019 and as a result they were forced to begin their Nations League stay in League C it was successive promotions that earned them a spot in League a ahead of last year's campaign and managed to stay up by the Skin of Their Teeth it's that man who has engineered the turnaround for this Guatemalan side Luis Fernando tenna the manager since 2021 guiding Guatemala to the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup last summer and keeping them afloat in the Nations League a year ago and when you factor in Guatemala struggles before his appointment a side that was bounced in the first round of 2022 World Cup qualifying and was bounced in the group stage of the 2021 Gold Cup he has provided new life for Los japines meanwhile Mark Cola a man with Martinique that has established himself as one of the better coaches in the Caribbean he has also been the manager since 2021 back underway according to Jose Torres from the capital city of Guatemala the fireworks in full force in what has been a terrific atmosphere tonight for the home side in their Nations League opener Rubio rubin's third minute strike is what currently makes the difference between these two squads was a first half where Guatemala was Frank on top for the majority of it had 60% of the ball frankly could have had two or three goals but we're unable to capitalize on their early bout of momentum and martinque showed some semblances of Life towards the tail end of that first half should make for a very intriguing final 45 minutes here in group a of leag a in the 20242 Nations league and when you look at at the schedules for these two sides for Guatemala in particular three points is crucial because in this Swiss style tournament system it's not around Robin so Guatemala will only play Four matches as will Martinique they will not play three of the opponents three of the six opponents in this group they play Costa Rica twice they've drawn the short end of the straw on multiple occasions which will make staying up in group a and in League a very difficult if they drop points tonight because it's Costa Rica twice they do get to travel to Guyana on October 11th which is a fixture they feel should be winnable but other than that they likely have the most difficult slate here in group a here's Morales venturing forward that's stabbed Away by pulo man making his 16th cap a Mainstay in the Romanian Top Flight meanwhile when you look at martinque slate it is not the end of the world if they come up empty-handed here for a number of reasons especially if it ends close because they play guadaloop twice aside that just got throttled 2-n by Costa Rica tonight and is not a team tipped to make noise in this group so as far as martinque is concerned they are playing with house money tonight and if they get a point tonight their quarterfinal aspirations become very promising here's mutasi awaiting support for Le Martino and aured why to the danger man Carl Fabian a dangerous cross one that is charged away into the feet of Alejandro Galindo one of the Elder Statesmen of this Guatemalan side excellent link up here and it appeared castanos just ran out of real estate breaking quickly is Brighton laau the Talisman laying it off faan's effort deflected out for a corner not a bad start for martinque here it is Carl Fabian who rushes over to take a 24-year-old to move to the Bulgarian Top Flight this summer after lighting up the lower leagues of France for quite some time he'll seed this corner to Samuel ryell rapidly approaching the 50-minute mark Martinique starting to twist the screws the outswinger here flicked along and there's The Equalizer Guatemala City stunned Kevin aan has leveled it up martinque in dreamlands a side that weathered the storm in the first half and they've been rewarded for their suffering Kevin aan has bagged a stunning equalizer here in Guatemala City a picture perfect Corner a pan Rising like a salmon and heading it well beyond the reach of Nicholas taken who has no chance rooted to the spot and just like that the visitors find themselves level the 26-year-old native of marsel and now nearly finding the go-ahead tally ryell dragging it wide Guan Mala have been stunned that panic native of Mars a man who moved to the Spanish second tier with buros a few years back he's bagged his first International goal at quite the moment Galindo santis down in the area and coming back to an earlier foul get another look at this referee was unmoved by the challenge shoulder-to-shoulder Muki shoved off a little bit ultimately though they came back to the earlier foul that sent santis clattering to the turf well suddenly Guatemala is being forced into some alterations Martinique leveling things in the 50th minute Kevin up H the 26-year-old who is in his fifth consecutive Year in Spain Santi stands over it an arcing cross it was spilled briefly by clemena but stabbed away confidently there's now an aura of restlessness in the facility and Yannis clemena seems a bit shaken up after the recent [Applause] challenge referee Jose Torres having a talking to with Guatemala's lone goal scorer Rubio Rubin likely Ford this challenge didn't appear he made any contact in the end with clementia the marqua goalkeeper is prone on the pitch at the moment Guatemala makes its first [Music] change as they're forced to chase a winner it's two swaps first man exiting is elar Cardoza it is Nathaniel Mendes entering meanwhile Marco Dominguez also entering the fry for Oscar castanos so two like for like changes cardoo was a relatively pedestrian figure in this match he's replaced by an experienced veteran of the English game Nathaniel Mendes Lang Lang a 32-year-old who has spent the entirety of his 15-year pro career in the top three divisions of England and has starred with Derby County the last three campaigns was a massive part of their successful promotion to the efl championship a season ago someone who also factored in frequently for Cardiff City during the 201819 Premier League so he's played at the highest level in England and only recently changed his citizenship from England to Guatemala debuted in the 2023 Gold Cup with Los chapines and has been a main stay since here's santis a flashing cross cleared only as far as Dominguez and the followup cross from santis will not do anything to quell the Restless fans keep your eye on number 11 in white and blue Mendes Lang two assists in four Gold Cup matches last year a product of the wolver Hampton Wanderers academy one of the more recognizable names that Luis Fernando tenna has to deploy tonight his side suddenly forced to chase a winner after dominating the entire first half Kevin aon's equalizer has thrown a wrench in what seemed to be a routine cruise to three points ryell it'ss one back confidently and now room for Reuben AR roome a pass just overcooked well if you're just joining us you have missed an interesting plot twist guadala was soaring in the first half open the scoring three minutes in through Rubio Ruben they dominated the remainder of that 45 minutes had a number of frankly should be second and third tallies turned away by the likes of Giannis clementia and his Ironclad back line and then five minutes after the restart Kevin appen heading it in at the near post from a corner and just like that martinque in a position to swipe a point away from home would be just their second point away from home dating back to the start of last year in Nations League Play Low driver here and no real trouble for Nicholas Hagen between the sticks Carl Fabian beginning continuing to pop up though on that right flank we see toan here makes the most of a one-on-one chance here outwits Morales and couldn't quite put the curl required to test Hagen there is life for martini especially since the [Applause] leveler Muki and this is the hero aan santis there is Jose Ardon the 24-year-old Center back alongside the experienced Jose Carlos Pinto this is Galindo clever ball into the path of Ruben who latches on to the end of it tarting it across and it was beyond the reach of santis Muki lebau awaiting reinforcements and still with Brighton leau unable to Surge through the thicket of white jerseys got to wonder if tightness or pressure begins to set in for Guatemala a side that knows it should have had this arguably wrapped up by halftime now finds itself in a true knockdown dragon out war gindo santis no real trouble for cl Wala notoriously good at home in this competition unbeaten in seven matches dating back to the inaugural Nations League season is that streak in Jeopardy santis through on goal referee points to the spot no hesitation and the yellow shown as well for good measure to jorus mutasi who was the culprit it's a lovely weighted ball here mutasi playing catchup it's a simple shove in the back that is a textbook penalty and just like that Guatemala an opportunity to reclaim the advantage from 12 yards the 26-year-old mutasi may have handed Guatemala back control of this at home right around the hour mark a chance to reclaim the lead from the penalty spot it is the captain Jose Carlos Pinto to take a man with just one international goal to his name the leader at Center back Pinto against clementia and Pinto converts clinical penalty Guatemala back in [Applause] front there were nerves Pinto has eased a lot of those 21 Guatemala 10 minutes of tension and relief exuding throughout the stadium now what a penalty this is perfect placement top right corner and the captain has put Los chapz back in front well struck and clementia guessing the right way but but unable to wrap his palms around that 61 minutes in Guatemala seizing control again hearing word Martinique has made a [Music] change a double change enrik ruper replacing Carl Fabian on the wings and Patrick burner vacating for Johnny Moro two substitutions towards the front line as martinque looks to infuse their side with attacking Talent perhaps surprising that Fabian vacates being the most dangerous Martinique man tonight but that is the decision Mark Kaa has made tonight so Maro for Fabian and burner vacating for ruper whose first touch is an unsuccessful one changes on both flanks for Le Martino Maro is an established veteran a 30-year-old who has spent the bulk of his career in the Martinique Top Flight making his 28th International appearance tonight Guatemala surging ahead it's an unconvincing clearance one that falls and is clattered into the legs of a Martina Defender by Mendes Lang Johnny Maro spending the last 10 seasons with martinat giant Club Francis G while Eric enrik ruper also a star in the martini Champion Nal Mendes Lang appealing for handball and he wins that argument see he's a towering presence for Guatemala 32 years old still a ton left in the tank for him see that just goes right off of the palms of Muki very inviting set piece here for santis and Herrera the right-wing Duo that has red Havoc tonight santis now the lone man in the vicinity an established veteran making his 35th cap flicked along Into the Danger area and it's hoofed northward one back Galindo laying it off space to run into now and it was not a bad effort from Morales one for the cameras that but not one to trouble clementia Guatemala negotiating the space on the edge of the area well see Galindo picking out Ardon and it came free for Morales a snapshot that just strolled wide it was played perfectly into his path but unable to wrap his foot around it in moments after scoring the would be winner it appears Jose Carlos Pinto is the man down on the pitch The False Alarm it was Dominguez who went down and then Pinto also did so the captain is a little worse for wear after that challenge Nicholas Sam S yoa is warming up samayoa Pinto is a touch slow to get up that is samayoa warming up to see this challenge one more time say coming together between himself and Moro and may have just taken a shoulder to the face well he is the spiritual and literal leader on the pitch for Guatemala and Luis Fernando tenes side 31 years of age has spent the bulk of his career in Lio naal over 450 career appearances in the Guatemalan Top Flight someone who has been a star for Kon casion in the harder defense plays for one of the proudest clubs in Guatemala a legacy Club one that wins titles for fun and for the time being venturing off the pitch well he seems all right to continue he's commanding a card from the fourth official clearly not thrilled by that challenge for the moment Guatemala down to 10 men cindo era a heavy touch to santis we've been treated to a fun one as we rapidly approach approach the 70-minute threshold tonight Guatemala at 2-1 Advantage Lang laying it off to santis attack that ultimately goes out with a whimper well here's the man who changed the match against Uruguay on Sunday Pedro Alon seems to be getting set to enter a creative Mastermind Galindo finds Mendes Lang laying it off Reuben oh so close curling it a whisker wide nearly had a brace to his name this is terrific interplay Galindo to the by line picking out Mendes Lang with perfection just lays it off perfectly into the path of Reuben who misses by a fraction of inches it will be a l for L swap hearing where Alon will replace Alejandro Galindo who has put forth an admirable display Maro down in the area loud appeals from the Martina players and the referee has [Applause] seemingly reached a decision it's a point to the spot and just like that martinque may have a chance to level this up it's a ferocious Challenge from pinto and he does get some of moro's legs a late point but a point and a rightful one at that not the best Challenge from Pino and it sets up Brighton leau from 12 yards with another opportunity to equalize all of the plot twists in this match continue to throw us for a loop and now the Martina Captain laau a 28-year-old who has made his trade at King Gump in France with a chance to pull martinque level once again it'll be leau against taken the Columbus Crew man the leader up front for martinque it's Sav by haen [Applause] [Music] [Applause] a collective Guatemalan Rejoice not the best of penalties more intended for placement than power and Hagen guesss the rice Direction didn't even have to go full extension for it to deny the Martinique leader a single p potentially salvaging all three points for Los [Applause] chapz hey G man who earns so much a claim and adoration during his time with kimun casones once again making the difference here in Guatemala as things stand Guatemala still in line for a crucial threep points as they bring Pedro Alan the municipal man in for his Municipal teammate Alejandro Galindo a magician that wears the number 10 kit Morales Alton 27 years of age has been a Super Sub here he is cuts it across and claimed by clementia Martinique had the golden opportunity to equalize it appears one more change is waiting the young Rudy Veron is warming up at the moment here's leau the man denied moments ago cleared out of trouble it will be leau who will vacate and Rudy Veron the 20-year-old will lead the line up front at the next stoppage Samuel ryell to take this corner rapidly approaching the final quarter of an hour from Guatemala City inswinger punched Away by Hagen and Falls to Mendes Lang with Pace to burn trying from afar and may have been caught between two minds well Pedro Alon no stranger to late goals to seal things as the whistle sounds against ruper in the Nations League opener against El Salvador a year ago he put the match to bed in the 78th minute as you see here R perne sending Morales clattering to the deck well Brighton B will vacate had the golden opportunity to equalize but as things stands he will Ru that penalty Miss for quite some time the youngster Rudy Veron will replace him hey man who also makes his trade in the martinat toop Flight playing for Club pan and very young at 20 years old his first proper international call up we have entered the final quarter of an hour here from Guatemala City as things stands Guatemala has won the penalty battle and as a results they still find themselves in line for the three points Pinto converting in the 61st laau denied about 10 minutes later aan the lone goal scorer for martinque tonight it's ushered wide to enrik ruper was looking for his man to continue the run a pan there's still plenty of time for Martinique to make the difference play towards the edge of the area Veron clatter it on to play and the whistle sounding against martinque regardless it is Jonathan Franco that finds himself still on the deck Muki pleading his case see Veron try to outwit Franco it's a 50-50 Challenge and one that leaves the Guatemalan men a little worse for where well a big task for the youngster he is tasked with leading the line and entering the book in his Nations League debut Muki this is Moro space to play out now for Guatemala no real Runner to latch on to the end of that we've gone over the stakes on a number of occasions but given Guatemala's Nation League fixture list points in this match are almost crucial they have two dates with Costa Rica on the docket by far the best team team in League a the best team not to receive the automatic buy to the quarterfinals and in fact in years past they found themselves in the quarters but Panama has overtaken them in that regard in the conaf rankings and as a result themselves along with the US Canada and Mexico have secured safe passage to The Knockouts already remember a successful victory in the quarterfinals secures a birth to the 2025 five Gold Cup Martinique is readying two changes it'll be Lucas Arden who will enter Varon laying it off Ru per awaiting options Veron again stab clear and Reuben is brought to the deck it will be Arden replacing Doo and Tariq cavalon is set to replace Samuel reyell those two changes occurring now so there is ryell a strong performance as a deep Ling playmaker tonight meanwhile the right back to so making way for the younger are dead Reuben Mendes Lang well Lucas Arden 23 years of age has spent his career in Martini champion [Music] naional and Tariq cavalon also playing in Martini's Top Flight at just 22 years of age it's just his seventh International cab do any of the youngsters have magic in their locker tonight into the final 10 minutes of the 90 still all to play for for both sides in Guatemala City given the way it started sheer Guatemalan dominance you wouldn't have expected the drama that has ensued across these 8 minutes and change but we have been treated to a fantastic opener here in Nations League Le mutasi issues playing out for martinque it'll fall to the boots of Dominguez if you're Guatemala you would be best served to hunt and procure a dagger especially given martinique's flare for the dramatic equalizer we've seen it once and we nearly saw it a second time if not for the heroics of Nicholas Hagen think Columbus Crew man who anchored the crew back line in their leagues cup Triumph less than two weeks ago flag is raised against Ruben now now Guatemala will make a double change it is Alan Janis replacing Oscar [Music] santis nice terrific performance from him meanwhile Rubio Rubin making way for the Guatemalan Top Flight goal scoring Mastermind that is Jose Martinez a successful display for number nine in white tonight bagging the opener in the third minute potentially could have had a second on a number of occasions but still grabbing his goal for Los japin tonight not a bad replacement for him by any means Martinez already three international goals but in the Guatemalan Top Flight has cross the 75 goal threshold R per and this is a pan Muki the Yan substitution is no doubt a defensive one yanis a listed right back who will be playing the role of right attacking midfielder in this 4231 set piece now on the way for kavalan with the way this match is unfolded set pieces would be the primary candidate to produce a Martinique equalizer a corner kick procured the first one it's delivered in from kavalan and was headed forward but fortunately for Guatemala it was right at haen a great delivery here from cavalin and the flick on at least Drew Hagen's attention very fortunate that didn't skew a different direction now Franco prone on the deck rapidly approaching the final 5 minutes of the regular 90 and it appears Franco the municipal man may be cramping up on the other end of things Mendes Lang an eventful presence so far could have supplied Ruben's dagger had he not trickled it just wide has proved to be a valuable addition for Guatemala dating back to the star of last year and the fysio still tending to Franco 21 years of age has spent his entire professional career with municip pal and has to be helped off here for Los chapz for the time being it appears guadala down to 10 men with Franco off the pitch we will see if they make a late match change here as things stand that man in line to be the hero Nicholas Hagen the 28-year-old with a heroic save from 12 yards to deny martinique's Talisman up front in Brighton leau his last involvement before being replaced by Rudy Veron here's mutasi tussling with Herrera and an errant pass Mendes Lang one back only briefly by cavalin one back by mutasi Franco is good to continue a pleasant sight for Guatemalan and munis Paul supporters Maro mutasi cross with some dangle to it falls for monuki and one back by Martinez Yannis losing out to a p you'd figure with the way this second half has unfolded at least three minutes of added time are warranted we will get word in a matter of moments aan elone goal scorer for Le matin Nino tonight a dangerous ball mutasi flashing it across punched Away by Hagen yanes threading it through to Martinez and numbers in support Guatemala breaking rapidly Etta Mendes Lang a heavy touch that L him down final 90 seconds of the 90 R per Moro charging ahead Johnny Moro whistling it wide and what a chance that was for Martin excellent bit of individual technique by Moro to get onto his favorite right foot and nearly picked out the far corner he had Hagen beaten unfortunately for him he just missed that far post final minute of the 90 it is all at fourth official Ismael coro's discretion now Martinez a loose back heel kavalan aan support in the form of Moro dangerous cross one that is cleared away confidently [Music] five minutes of added time the Guatemalan faithful have plenty of time to weather still a martinque side that has carved out a number of chances in the late stages continuing to push on ruper aen darting to the by line and the cross will not trouble Hagen it will become a matter of gamesmanship from here on out for Los chiness for Le minino they are in desperate need of late heroics it had the feeling of a must acquire three points for Guatemala tonight they are a matter of minutes from completing the marathon Muki red well by Morales cleared only as far as Arden for martinque it is a home match against Guyana on September 9th before they take on guadaloop twice we mentioned favorable fixtures given guadal Loop's struggles in Nations league play in the past got outclassed by Costa Rica tonight it was 2-n but likely should have been more Mendes Lang beats his Defender and is through Mendes Lang just outside the reach of Martinez a promising counter goes begging for Los chinz mutasi switching the play with a plum ruper ding inside it's still ruper and it may have taken a deflection in the process the linesman says it did some set pieces to weather for [Music] Guatemala cavalon standing over it is there one final bit of setpiece magic for martinque barely beating the first Defender that time kavalan enticing cross one that falls for balance aan low driver from balance and one that is into the waiting arms of Hagen final 90 seconds of added time and that man Jose Torres will become the most watched man in the venue in a matter of minutes Guatemala is so nearly there Martinez threw on goal there's the dagger Guatemala has sealed the points Jose Martinez providing the final blow in stoppage time Los japz have wrapped up a deserve victory [Applause] tonight a night with frustration and adversity but one in which Guatemala has overcome with flying colors Martinez playing on the back shoulder of the last Defender appeals for offside but doing just enough to threat it between the legs of Giannis clena and sealing it all in the final minute of stoppage time a man with a reputation of clinical finishing at the club level providing a clinical finish for his country tonight Guatemala 3 martinque 1 a man who is out of the Guatemalan squad for a year and a half wrapping up all of the points in his first Nations League appearance of the year the final whistle has sounded Guatemala securing all three points despite facing second half adversity from a very game Martinique side tonight Luis Fernando Tena side starts Nations league play in perfect fashion three points at home before a difficult Costa Rican test presents itself Martinique had its moments and threatened a level it late but in the end Nicholas Hagen saving a Brighton leau penalty and Jose Martinez providing the late tagger tonight a strong performance from Guatemala one in which they come away with all of the points a game display from Martini one in which they can take positives for their match with Guyana that man will be relieved given the struggles his side encountered in the second half but a more than capable performance in the final 30 minutes making the difference Jose Carlos Pinto winning it from the spot Martinez ending it in the final minute of stoppage time what a match we had to open Nations League Play Pete conaf here tonight and Guatemala the favorites securing all of the spoils here at home from the esto doroto guamuch Flores it finishes Guatamala 3 martinque 1 we will step aside for some interviews with key players when we we return a look at the 90 minutes that just transpired [Music] you [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] oh no no oh no no no [Music] [Music] spe see foreign spee