Panama and Guadeloupe Set for Tiebreaker in Group C Opener

Panama and Guadeloupe will meet once again with history hanging in the balance. Their Group C opener at the 2025 Gold Cup will take place this Monday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The all-time series is currently tied at one win apiece, with both sides having scored four goals across their two previous encounters.

Panama arrives as the tournament’s reigning runner-up, aiming to return to the final. Head coach Thomas Christiansen leads the team for a third straight Gold Cup campaign and recently guided them to second place in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League. Among the key players is José Fajardo, who helped seal qualification with a goal against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.

Guadeloupe, on the other hand, seeks to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2009. Once a standout player himself, coach Jocelyn Angloma returns for his third stint in charge. Florian David and Raphaël Mirval, who both scored in the qualifying win over Nicaragua, are expected to carry the offensive load.

The historical edge will be decided on Monday. Guadeloupe took the 2009 meeting 2-1; Panama answered with a 3-2 win in 2011.