They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz found out just how bitter it can taste on a mild California evening at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Just six days removed from handing Guatemala a 3-0 drubbing in World Cup qualifying, the Boyz returned to the pitch looking a shadow of themselves, as Guatemala flipped the script with a 1-0 win in their opening Concacaf Gold Cup Group C clash on Monday.

It was a historic result for the 106th-ranked Central Americans, as it marked their first-ever victory over the 63rd-ranked Jamaicans in the competition and their first win against the Caribbean side in 13 years.

With the win, Guatemala join Panama, who registered a 5-2 win over Guadeloupe, on three points, while the Boyz now face a steep uphill battle. They must win their next two games to keep their hopes of progressing from the group stage alive.

The game’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute, when Oscar Santis pounced on a defensive lapse to poke home what proved to be the decisive strike. After Darwin Lom cleverly backheeled a lofted ball into Santis’s path, the 26-year-old slotted it past Andre Blake, punishing a moment of disorganization in Jamaica’s backline.

It was a stinging reversal for the Reggae Boyz, who came into the game as favourites but looked nothing like the side that dominated Guatemala less than a week prior. Sloppy in possession and disjointed in attack, Jamaica were on the back foot early, lucky to see an earlier Guatemala goal chalked off for offside.

They found brief signs of life in the 26th minute when Leon Bailey was brought down just outside the box after a promising break. But Demarai Gray’s resulting free kick soared harmlessly over. Moments later, Renaldo Cephas broke down the left, but his cross was snuffed out before it could do damage.

Then came the breakthrough, and with it, a shift in momentum. Jamaica’s defensive line was caught napping on a long ball over the top. A quick touch from Lom, a cool finish from Santis, and suddenly the Reggae Boyz were reeling. Gray tried to respond before the break, winning possession high up the field in the 42nd minute, but his shot lacked power and direction as the Guatemalans carried a quiet confidence as well as the lead to the break.

To their credit, the Boyz came out stronger in the second half as they increased their intensity, pushed higher up the pitch, and fashioned a few half-chances. But despite their improved effort, they failed to test Guatemala’s goalkeeper, Nicholas Hagen, with any real conviction.

Guatemala nearly doubled their lead against the run of play in the 70th minute when Rubio Mendez’s header forced a brilliant diving save from Blake. Four minutes later, Pedro Altan’s low left-footed drive again tested Blake, who was sharp throughout.

With time running out, head coach Steve McClaren turned to Michail Antonio, who made his first appearance since a horrific accident sidelined him in December. Antonio nearly made an immediate impact in the 87th minute, linking up with Bailey in the box, only for the winger’s shot to be blocked.

The Boyz threw everything forward, and their best chance came when Bailey floated in a perfectly weighted cross to Ethan Pinnock at the far post. But the big defender’s header sailed over in time added.