Both sides reached this fat continental competition courtesy of securing top spots in their respective groups in the recently concluded CONCACAF Nations League.
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Guatemala will take on Cuba in a 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup fixture at DRV PNK stadium on Tuesday. Both sides earned a spot in the group stage of the continental competition courtesy of securing top spots in their respective groups in the League B of the recently concluded CONCACAF Nations League. Meanwhile, the two nations didn’t have the best of preparations heading into this tournament, with La Azul y Blanco losing 1-0 to Venezuela in a friendly, while the Lions of Caribbean were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay.
Guatemala secured top spot in Group D of the Nations League courtesy of collecting 13 points from six games, two clear of second-placed French Guiana. After securing back-to-back Nations League-wins against Belize and French Guiana in March, La Azul y Blanco returned to action in June, participating in four friendlies. Luis Fernando Rena side began their preparations for the Gold Cup with successive defeats against Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago earlier this month, before securing a narrow 1-0 win over Costa Roca on June 15 thanks to Carlos Mejia’s goal inside the opening six minutes. However, La Bicolor lost out to Venezuela last time out courtesy of Yangal Herrera’s lone goal ten minutes from time. Meanwhile, on a positive note, Guatemala have won each of their last four encounters against Cuba, not conceding a single goal in the process.
Cuba, on the other hand, finished off their Nations League campaign with successive wins against Barbados and Guadeloupe, and thereby taking their points tally to 16 from six games, six more than second-placed Guadeloupe. Nevertheless, the Lions of Caribbean are heading into the Gold Cup on the back of back-to-back defeats against tougher opponents Chile and Uruguay, conceding five goals and scoring none in the period. Meanwhile, their previous experience in the Gold Cup was back in 2019, failing to find the back of the net in three group-games and were outscored 17-0. This time around, Los Leones de Caribe will fancy their chances against the likes of Guadeloupe and Guatemala in Group D, while Canada are touted to be the favourites to win the group.
¡ENFOCADOS EN CUBA!#SeleMayor enfocados en el primer partido de @GoldCup realizó su entrenamiento en Miami. 🇬🇹🏆⚽️💪💙#VamosGuate #ModoSelección pic.twitter.com/HnC1yLkt6Y
— FEDEFUT GUATE (@fedefut_oficial) June 25, 2023
Guatemala probable starting lineup: Jerez, A. Herrera, Pinto, Gordillo, Morales, Sequen, Altan, Mejia, Mendez-Laing, Rubin, Archila
Cuba probable starting lineup: Sanchez, Morejon, Perez, Mendez, Cavafe, Corrales, Paradela, A. Hernandez, Reyes, Ruiz, Matos
Guatemala
| Opponents | Score |
| Venezuela | 1-0 (L) |
| Costa Rica | 0-1 (W) |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 1-0 (L) |
| Mexico | 2-0 (L) |
| French Guiana | 4-0 (W) |
Cuba
| Opponents | Score |
| Uruguay | 2-0 (L) |
| Chile | 3-0 (L) |
| Guadeloupe | 1-0 (W) |
| Barbados | 0-1 (W) |
| Dominican Republic | 1-1 (D) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Guatemala beat Cuba | 1-0 |
| Guatemala beat Cuba | 1-0 |
| Guatemala beat Cuba | 1-0 |
| Guatemala beat Cuba | 3-0 |
| Cuba beat Guatemala | 1-0 |
The CONCACAF Gold Cup fixture between Guatemala and Cuba will take place at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday at 6:15 am IST.
| Guatemala vs Cuba | Key Details |
| Date | June 27 (USA) |
| Venue | DRV PNK stadium |
| Kickoff time in Guatemala | 6:45 pm (Tuesday) |
| Kickoff time in Cuba | 8:45 pm (Tuesday) |
| Kickoff time in USA | 8:45 pm (Tuesday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 6:15 am (Wednesday) |
Football fans in USA can catch the live action via TUDN, Fox Sports, Univision network. Cubans can tune to ESPN Play Caribbean, while those in Guatemala can watch the match on Star +, ESPN Norte and VIX.
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