Overview
- Panama won 3-2 in Guatemala City with a Cecilio Waterman brace and a late José Fajardo winner after Arquímides Ordóñez and Rudy Muñoz had pulled Guatemala level.
- The result leaves Guatemala stuck on 5 points and mathematically eliminated, while Panama moves to 9; Guatemala hosts Surinam on November 18 to close its schedule.
- Coach Luis Fernando Tena apologized for the defeat, acknowledged mistakes and said he wants to stay, placing his continuity in the federation’s hands.
- Guatemalan media and fans sharply criticized Tena’s tactics on social platforms, and a viral video of a crying team kit man captured the national mood.
- ESPN commentator Fernando Palomo publicly urged Guatemala to retain Tena, crediting him with giving the team identity and stability.