Chelsea loanee Marc Guiu scored his first goal for Sunderland in midweek, which should be huge for his confidence as a striker. However, his team were still eliminated from the Carabao Cup after losing on penalties.
Chelsea supporters will be keeping a close eye on Marc Guiu, 19, to see how their player does during his season-long loan at the Stadium of Light.
On Tuesday night, Guiu earned his first start as Premier League side Sunderland hosted League One outfit Huddersfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The on-loan striker scored an excellent header in the closing stages of the game to equalise for the hosts and make it 1-1. However, Huddersfield eventually pulled off the cup upset by winning 6-5 in the penalty shootout.
Milan Aleksić's penalty is saved and we exit the #CarabaoCup.
SUN: ✅✅✅✅✅❌
HUD: ✅✅✅✅✅✅
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 26, 2025
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It is believed that Guiu remains in Chelsea’s long-term plans despite leaving on loan this summer, but it still feels like a really important year for the development and growth of the Spanish teenager.
Sunderland striker Marc Guiu battles for a header against Huddersfield Town's Murray Wallace in a Carabao Cup match.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Sunderland fans frustrated that Marc Guiu didn’t step up to take a penalty
Even though Guiu netted his first goal for the Black Cats last night, Sunderland fans on social media were left annoyed that the young centre-forward didn’t take a spot-kick during the penalty shootout.
After five perfect penalties, Sunderland midfielder Milan Aleksic failed to convert his penalty and his side crashed out of the cup. Unfortunately, we’ll never know if the Chelsea loanee was next in line to take one.
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Here are Sunderland fans on X frustrated that Guiu didn’t take a penalty as he was a striker still on the pitch…
One fan wrote: “I’d really like to know why Guiu hasn’t took a pen in a penalty shootout.”
“Guiu not taking a penalty. Calls himself a striker. Nah, not having that,” another commented.
One supporter posted: “Not sure why Guiu didn’t take one of six penalties. Bit odd.”
“Why have a No.9 on the pitch and not give him a penalty?” another said.
The reality is that no supporters know what conversations took place between Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris and his players before the penalty shootout. Therefore, it’s unfair to attach any sort of blame to Guiu, even if we do agree it’s a bit suspicious that the centre-forward didn’t step up to take a spot-kick.
The pressure will now be on Guiu to break into Sunderland’s XI for the Premier League matches following the team’s cup exit.
Chelsea have a clever clause in Guiu’s deal that means there’s a penalty fee if he doesn’t play a certain amount of matches. However, we’re confident that the striker is good enough to get plenty of minutes in the league.
Marc Guiu celebrates after scoring for Sunderland against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Guiu received a mixed assessment from local media after his display in the Carabao Cup.
Sunderland Echo wrote: “Marc Guiu – Struggled to get into the game through the first half but stuck at his task. Drew a good save from Lee Nicholls early in the second half after a good touch to get away from his defender, and headed the equaliser into the far corner from Aleksic’s cross. 6/10.”
Minutes played Goals Total shots Chances created Accurate passes Touches in opposition box Successful dribbles Match rating
90 1 4 0 8/9 (89%) 10 3/5 (60%) 7.6
Marc Guiu statistics during Sunderland vs Huddersfield Town via FOTMOB
While it certainly wasn’t a vintage display from Guiu against Huddersfield, he scored a tidy goal and got a vital 90 minutes into his legs. He’s not played a lot of football in the last few months, so there is a lot more to come from him in Sunderland colours once he gets up to full speed.