Saturday’s Group C clash at Q2 Stadium in Austin pits two sides level on three points but moving in opposite stylistic directions. Panama arrive brimming with confidence after dismantling Guadeloupe 5-2, showcasing the kind of fluid attacking movement and final-third execution that sets them apart in this group.
Jose Luis Rodriguez and Ismael Diaz stretched the pitch relentlessly, and midfielders like Anibal Godoy and Carlos Harvey controlled tempo with sharp vertical passing. It is the sort of technical and tactical polish that could expose Guatemala’s defensive rigidity.
Guatemala were impressive in their opener, a disciplined 1-0 win over Jamaica, but their attacking threat remains limited and heavily reliant on a handful of moments in transition. They scored with one of their only four shots on target. Against a side like Panama, who press high and dominate the ball, Guatemala may find themselves suffocated and unable to build from deep.
What truly separates the two sides is experience and consistency. Panama reached the final of the last Gold Cup and cruised through World Cup qualifying with a perfect record. They have also gone unbeaten in their last 11 games against Guatemala, winning 10 and conceding just five goals in the process. That mental edge, combined with their current attacking rhythm, should see them through again. This is Panama’s match to lose and recent history suggests they won’t.
How the bookies view it: Panama to win it
Panama are favourites at 22/25 to win the match, with Guatemala priced at 17/5 and the draw at 5/2. The odds reflect Panama’s attacking strength and tournament pedigree, but Guatemala’s 1-0 win over Jamaica has kept them competitive in the market. Over 2.5 goals is offered at 57/50, which is an implied probability of 46.7%, while both teams to score is near even money at 99/100 (50.3%), suggesting a balanced outlook on whether both sides will find the net.
Head to head: Panama dominate recent history
Panama hold the edge in the all-time head-to-head with 18 wins to Guatemala’s 13, along with nine draws. Their recent dominance is even more striking: in the last 11 meetings, Panama are unbeaten, winning 10 and drawing once. Over that span, they have scored 20 goals and conceded just five, with Guatemala failing to score in seven of those matches. Only four of the 11 games saw both teams score, and the average goals per match in that stretch is 2.27. The last time Guatemala defeated Panama was back in August 2005, underlining the length of their winless run.
Predicted line-ups
Guatemala (4‑2‑3‑1): Hagen; Morales, Pinto, Samayoa, Herrera; Franco, Ramirez; Santis, Robles, Munoz; Lom
Panama (4‑3‑3): Mosquera; Gutierrez, Cordova, Harvey, Blackma;, Godoy, Alcazar, Martinez; Diaz, Rodriguez, Puma
Players to watch: Diaz to dazzle again
Ismael Diaz comes into the clash against Guatemala in red-hot form, having scored twice in Panama’s 5-2 win over Guadeloupe, where he took three shots—all of them on target. No player on the pitch had more shots on target than him in that match. Across the tournament so far, only Manfred Ugalde of Costa Rica has recorded more shots on target, while just four players have taken more total shots than Diaz. Notably, one of them was his teammate Jose Luis Rodriguez, who attempted five shots but failed to hit the target.
Diaz also found the net in Panama’s previous World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua, underlining his consistency in front of goal. In total, he now has 16 goals in 24 appearances for Universidad Catolica and Panama in 2025. He also stood out in continental competition, scoring six goals in seven Copa Sudamericana appearances (620 minutes), where he registered 18 shots, eight on target. His blend of efficiency and volume makes him one of the most dangerous wide forwards in the tournament, and he remains central to Panama’s attacking threat heading into this crucial Group C encounter. No odds are currently available for his shots or shots on target but backing him as an anytime scorer at 13/5 looks a strong value play.
Anything else catch the eye?
Panama’s recent scoring form makes them a serious threat to break down even well-organised defences and Guatemala, for all their tactical shape, will struggle to contain them for 90 minutes. Thomas Christiansen’s side has now scored multiple goals in five of their last six competitive matches, including a five-goal haul against Guadeloupe in their Gold Cup opener. Their forward line is aggressive, interchangeable, and quick to exploit space, especially out wide where Guatemala have shown vulnerability under pressure.
Beyond individual brilliance, Panama’s structure promotes goals. Their wide players consistently isolate defenders one-on-one, while midfield runners arrive late into the box to create overloads. Even when not fully dominant, they generate chances at a high rate. Against a Guatemalan side that prefers to defend deep, Panama will likely control possession and rack up attacking sequences. And if Guatemala are forced to open up after conceding, Panama’s pace in transition could see them add a second.
History also supports the bet: Panama have scored two or more goals in seven of their last 11 meetings with Guatemala. With momentum, superior firepower, and tactical fluidity, they are well placed to hit that mark again on Saturday.
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