Guatemala and Honduras secured spots in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals in contrasting fashion as Group B wrapped up on Monday.Guatemala, needing to win by three goals, routed winless Grenada 4-0 to advance ahead of Group A’s third-place finisher El Salvador.
Under-20 international Jose del Aguila opened Guatemala’s account in the 16th minute with a classy finish, and goalkeeper Shemel Louison botched a save of Marco Pappa’s speculative shot six minutes later as Grenada fell 2-0 behind.
Philadelphia Union striker Carlos Ruiz pounced on a rebound for his first goal of the tournament in the 54th minute, and Carlos Gallardo picked up an insurance goal five minutes later.
Honduras, meanwhile, clinched second place in Group B despite a 1-0 loss to Jamaica.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Ryan Johnson scored the lone goal for the Caribbean Cup champions, who clinch the group with three straight victories.
Johnson’s goal was not without an element of luck, his long-range screamer striking the crossbar and rebounding off the back of Honduras custodian Noel Valladeres over the line.
Honduras will face Costa Rica in the last eight, while Jamaica and Guatemala will have to wait until Group C matches conclude on Tuesday, to learn of their next opponents.