Gold Cup: Guyana beat Grenada on penalties to keep dream alive

In Saturday’s final match at the DRV PNK Stadium, Guyana defeated Grenada 5-3 on penalties to advance to the second round of the Gold Cup Prelims and move within one game of qualifying for the Gold Cup group stage for the second time ever.

The Golden Jaguars had the first big chance in the contest.

A 17th-minute handball on Grenada’s Mackell Gannes led to a penalty being awarded, but Grenada GK Reice Charles-Cook denied Neil Danns.

While a saved penalty usually generates a lot of momentum for the defending side, Guyana immediately responded with a cracker of a goal.

In the 22nd minute, Omari Glasgow launched one into the side netting from well outside the penalty area to give the Golden Jaguars the lead.

The 19-year-old scored three times for Guyana in the most recent edition of the Nations League and continues to prove himself as one of the best young forwards in the region.

Grenada hit back in the 60th minute thanks to Jacob Berkeley Agyepong’s fantastic run into the box; goalscorer Kairo Mitchell barely had to do anything other than let Agyepong’s cross bank off his boot into the net.

The remaining third of the game saw neither team able to muster an additional goal, so the game proceeded to penalties.

Both sides traded off taking excellent spot kicks, and after three rounds, it was knotted up at 3-3.

In the fourth round, Guyana created some separation when GK Kai McKenzie-Lyle reached back to stop Agyepong’s penalty.

Daniel Wilson stepped up to drill the decisive shot and give the Golden Jaguars a 5-3 shootout victory.

Guyana will have a few days to prepare for their clash with Guadeloupe on Tuesday, with a place in Group D up for grabs. (CONCACAF)

Match Highlights: https://www.concacaf.com/gold-cup/video/2023-gold-cup-guyana-v-grenada/