Matchday 2 of the Gold Cup 2021 is already about to start and it will bring us an exciting match in Group A. Guatemala and Mexico will meet in their second affair in the Concacaf competition looking to grab the three points.
Los Chapines couldn’t get off to a strong start to the tournament in their opening game against El Salvador. La Selecta arrived in much better form and won2-0, leaving Rafael Loredo‘s boys with plenty of work to do ahead of this match.
Meanwhile, Mexico haven’t begun their campaign on the right foot either, being held by Trinidad and Tobago in the 2021 Gold Cup opener. Therefore, El Tri arrive at this game under pressure to claim their first victory and chase the first seed in Group A.
Guatemala’s confirmed starting XI
Guatemala in the Gold Cup prelims. (Instagram: @fedefutguate)
Guatemala will be playing a crucial match for their Gold Cup aspirations after being left empty-handed in their first affair. Andy Ruiz tested positive to Covid-19 and was ruled out for the upcoming games, with Rudy Barrientos taking his place.
La Bicolor’s interim coach, Rafael Loredo hasmade many changes to the lineup after losing at El Salvador. This willbe Guatemala’s lineup: Nicolas Hagen;Kervin García, José Pinto, Moisés Hernández, Gerardo Gordillo,Stheven Robles;Alejandro Galindo, Oscar Santis, Jorge Aparicio; Darwin Lom, RobinBetancourth.
Mexico’s confirmedlineup
Alfredo Talavera willstart again. (Getty)
The sour draw against the Socca Warriors wasn’t the only setback from the2021 Gold Cup debut for Mexico. Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano was ruled out for the remainderof the competition after suffering a scary injury in a collision with the Trinidadian goalkeeper.
Therefore, Gerardo Martino will have to deal with a tough casualty for the tournament. Orbelín Pinedawilltake his place, while Rogelio Funes Mori willstart again as the No. 9. This is how Mexico willline up:Alfredo Talavera; Luis Rodriguez, Nestor Araujo, Carlos Salcedo, Jesús Gallardo; Héctor Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Erick Gutiérrez; Jesús Corona, Rogelio Funes Mori, Orbelín Pineda.
