Bermuda 0 Guatemala 1

Battling Bermuda were unable to continue their World Cup qualifying journey after crashing out to Guatemala in front of a large crowd at the National Stadium last night.

Stefano Giordano, the Guatemala midfielder, struck in the 27th minute, punishing the home side for some poor defending with a goal that ultimately proved to be the difference.

The scoreline flattered Bermuda as the visiting side dominated possession, created more chances and had it not been for some fine saves from Dale Eve, the Bermuda goalkeeper, Guatemala's margin of victory could have easily been wider.

Bermuda, who earned an impressive goalless draw in Friday's first leg in Guatemala, had their moments but they lacked the cutting edge in the absence of Nahki Wells, the side's captain, who missed the tie because of an ankle injury.

On the rare occasions when Bermuda did get behind the Guatemala defence, their first touch too often let them down.

Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda head coach, had vowed to attack prior to the game, but it was Guatemala who came out all guns blazing, taking the match to the home side and pinning them in their own half for long spells.

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Bermuda held their shape, though, and bided their time in the hope of catching their opponents on the counterattack with their speed.

Guatemala came close to breaking the deadlock when Jose Contreras's shot from point-blank range was repelled by Eve who raced off his line to thwart the danger.

The Stoke City goalkeeper was called into action again moments later, this time denying Marco Ponce, the Guatemala midfielder, from an angle.

Having weathered the early storm, Bermuda began to move forward with more confidence and with Reggie Lambe and Zeiko Lewis showing glimpses of promise in the final third, started to cause anxiety in the Guatemala defence. Lewis found Lambe in the middle with a cross but the Mansfield Town forward's first touch let him down in front of goal when a first-time shot or diving header might have been a better option.

The same two players linked up again moments later, Lambe sending Lewis clear with a clever pass only for his team-mate to make a complete hash of his cross with numbers in the box.

The breakthrough Guatemala's early dominance deserved finally arrived with Giordano delivering the goods, albeit with plenty of assistance from a static Bermuda defence.

Moises Moralez's long ball from midfield caught the Bermuda defence flat-footed and Giordano's left-footed half-volley trickled inside Eve's far post.

Bermuda did not panic and were nearly back on even terms when Ellas Prera, the Guatemala defender, nearly turned Lambe's cross into his own net.

Lewis's touch also deserted him in the box after being picked out by Jonté Smith's diagonal pass as Bermuda ended the first half strongly.

After the break, Eve had to be at his best to deny Carlos Gutierrez, the Guatemala captain, from close range.

Bermuda suffered a setback when Damon Ming went off injured after being fouled deep in Guatemala's half and was replaced by Dandy Town Hornets team-mate Angelo Simmons.

Guatemalan hearts were in mouths as the ensuing free kick taken by Lewis sparked a frantic goalmouth scramble after Ricardo Figueroa, the Guatemala goalkeeper, spilled the ball in the area.

Bermuda's first attempt on target arrived on the hour mark when Jaylon Bather, the defender, headed tamely into Figueroa's arms.

Rai Simons replaced striker Smith in the 68th minute and made an immediate impact with a threatening cross that Figueroa did well to cut out. Simons was becoming a real thorn in Guatemala's side with his searing pace and crisp touch in and round the area.

But it was Guatemala who came closest to doubling their lead in the closing stages of the match, Eve smothering Ponce's shot at the near post and then denying substitute Brandon Ramos's long-range effort.