Venezuela U23 — Guatemala U23, CAC Games

Venezuela U23 beat Guatemala U23 3:1 in Group Stage 2 of the Central American and Caribbean Games on Friday night. The hosts had lost their opening match 1-0 to Mexico, while the visitors were winless after a 1-0 defeat to the Dominican Republic. By then the pressure was on both sides to find some momentum. Venezuela took the lead before the half-hour mark and never looked back. Guatemala pulled one back in the second half, but the home side closed the game out with a late strike. The result keeps Venezuela's qualification hopes alive, whereas Guatemala now face a tougher run-in. The visitors had struggled for creativity all night. They were second to everything in midfield and found it hard to string passes together. To be fair, Venezuela's high press disrupted their rhythm early and often. Coaches will note the contrast in shape between the two sides. Venezuela played with a compact block and quick transitions, while Guatemala tried to build patiently but got caught out on the counter. It is a pattern we have seen before in youth tournaments. The win extends Venezuela's unbeaten run to two matches. They sit second in the group with three points, level on points with Mexico but behind on goal difference. Guatemala remain at the bottom with none, though the table is still fluid. It was not a spectacle, just a solid performance built on structure and discipline. The crowd roared them on, and the players carried the side with purpose. One mistake ends it in these tournaments, and Venezuela avoided that trap.