Guatemala defeats Canada in CONCACAF Opening Match

In addition to the loss, Canada lost one of its top players in Alvaro Yaques after a red card was issued in a chippy affair.

Courtesy of CONCACAF.com

Guatemala 7, Canada 3

Humberto Escobar scored twice in each half to rally Guatemala after Canada took a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes on an own-goal by Estuardo De Leon and a penalty by Matthew Rios.

A penalty by Alan Aguilar and Escobar’s first 28 seconds apart pulled Guatemala even by the 12th minute. Alvaro Yaques Green restored Canada to the lead with just over four minutes to go in the half, but Escobar scored seven seconds before halftime, and then again 2:12 into the second half to give Guatemala the lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

William Ramirez and Pablo Estrada both added goals in the 24th minute for Guatemala, which avenged its only other result against Canada, a 5-3 friendly loss nine years ago.

Canada lost Yaques Green in the 24th minute for a deliberate handball, and won’t have him available for its Tuesday match against the United States.