For the first time since 2019, Cuba have made it into the group stage of the Gold Cup and will open the competition by facing Guatemala on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium.

Both teams topped their respective groups at the most recent CONCACAF Nations League tournament to book a place in this competition.

Match preview

One of the original teams to qualify for the inaugural edition of the Gold Cup in 1991, the Guatemalans took fate into their own hands this time around, claiming 13 points in their Nations League B group to earn their spot after only making it in 2021 when Curacao were disqualified because of numerous positive COVID-19 tests.

Given the last-minute circumstances of their entry two years ago, this team still managed to hold their own to a point, keeping El Salvador off the scoresheet until the 81st minute then losing 3-0 to Mexico before claiming a point versus Trinidad and Tobago (1-1).

Over the years, Guatemala have developed a reputation of being a side keen to prevent goals more than scoring them, as they can suffocate you with numerous players who hang back when out of possession.

That approach has not changed much since Luis Fernando Tena took charge, as Los Chapines have scored a goal or fewer in their previous four matches ahead of this tournament.

The man who guided Mexico to the 2012 Olympic title has kept this team competitive despite the defensive approach, upsetting Costa Rica in a friendly earlier this month (1-0) and coming back to earn a draw (1-1) versus Nations League semi-finalists Panama in March.

La Bicolor have won four successive matches against the Cubans, failing to concede in each of those contests, the last one being in March 2022 (1-0).

Bringing in players who feature at overseas clubs has paid off for Pablo Elier Sanchez, as Cuba are starting to build a reputation as a competitive side in CONCACAF.

Their resolute defending helped them earn a place in this competition for the 11th time, conceding the fewest goals on the B side of the recent Nations League tournament (three), winning five of six encounters.

Scoring goals in this competition has not come easy to Los Leones del Caribe as they have only netted in one of their previous six Gold Cup group fixtures, though that lone strike in 2015 was enough to put them in the quarter-finals as they defeated Guatemala 1-0, advancing as one of the best third-place sides.

Their previous experience at this stage of the Gold Cup in 2019 was one the Cubans would rather forget as they failed to find the back of the net in its three group outings and were outscored 17-0.

After such a dismal showing on that occasion, perhaps the thought was that things could only look up for this program, and Cuba came into 2023 on a high, winning five of their seven matches played the previous year.

That momentum has not carried over into this year, though they have faced some tougher opponents, failing to score in losses to Uruguay (2-0) and Chile (3-0) earlier this month.

Team News

Tena has gone with a relatively experienced squad at the Gold Cup, with Derby County striker Nathaniel Mendez-Laing being the only Guatemalan chosen for this tournament without an appearance, Esteban Garcia made his senior debut in their victory over Costa Rica, while Pedro Altan collected just his fourth cap in the loss to Venezuela and Aaron Herrera only has two appearances for the senior team, though he features regularly at CF Montreal in MLS.

Gerardo Gordillo had their only goal at the Gold Cup two years ago, Rubio Rubin led them with three in the Nations League, while Ricardo Jerez collected two clean sheets at that particular tournament and Nicholas Hagen had one.

Carlos Mejia had the only goal in their previous victory over Cuba, having also scored the winner versus Costa Rica, while Darwin Lom is their top scorer selected for this tournament, netting 10 times for them on the international stage.

Jassael Herrera is the only uncapped Cuban player who will be a part of this team, while Aldair Ruiz and Romario Torres picked up their first caps with the senior men's squad in their previous match against Uruguay.

Captain Aricheell Hernandez was tied for second in Nations League B goals with four, Sandy Sanchez collected three clean sheets, while Raiko Arozarena had one.

Maikel Reyes notched the winner in their previous Gold Cup meeting against Guatemala in 2013, and he is one appearance away from reaching 40, while he and Luis Paradela are their most prolific scorers chosen for this competition, having each netted eight times internationally.

Guatemala possible starting lineup:
Jerez; A. Herrera, Pinto, Gordillo, Morales; Sequen, Altan, Mejia; Mendez-Laing, Rubin, Archila

Cuba possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Morejon, Perez, Mendez, Cavafe, Corrales; Paradela, A. Hernandez; Reyes, Ruiz, Matos

We say: Guatemala 0-0 Cuba

These two sides are well drilled and built to defend, while they both excel along the backline, but they are each a little thin regarding chance creators.

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