The Guerier really had little chance against the Constitution. The Connie was larger, faster, more heavily built and much more heavily armed. Sort of a heavy cruiser against a light cruiser situation.
Very true, but the Royal Navy had acquired such an aura on invincibility in the American public’s mind that even a small action like this between frigates was seen as a massive victory - there had been fearful images of British sloops-of-war pulling alongside the American super-frigates with relative impunity.