Canada vs El Salvador

Canada Look to Bounce Back After Stumbling Against Curaçao

Canada entered the Gold Cup as heavy favorites in Group B, and their dominant 6-0 thrashing of Honduras in their opener only reinforced that expectation. But their momentum hit a snag against Curaçao—after Nathan Saliba’s early goal put them ahead, Les Rouges couldn’t put the game to bed. Then, in cruel fashion, Jeremy Antonisse’s stoppage-time equalizer snatched a 1-1 draw, snapping Canada’s seven-game winning streak when leading at halftime.

Despite the late slip-up, Canada still controls their destiny. A draw against El Salvador will be enough to secure a quarter-final spot, no matter what happens elsewhere in the group. And they’ll have a boost on the sidelines—Jesse Marsch returns from his two-match suspension, eager to guide his team into the knockouts while preserving their five-match unbeaten run in normal time.

Historically, Canada has had the upper hand against El Salvador, winning half of their 20 previous meetings. They’ve also taken the last two matchups, both in crucial World Cup qualifiers (2021 and 2022). In Gold Cup history, it’s been tight—a 1-0 win in 2009 and a gritty 0-0 draw in 2015.

El Salvador Fighting to Keep Faint Hopes Alive

For El Salvador, the equation is simple but daunting: only a shock win can save them from another early group-stage exit, much like their disappointing 2021 campaign. Hernán Gómez’s side hasn’t won a Gold Cup match since July 2021 (a 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago), and breaking that drought here will require something special.

They started this tournament with a gritty 0-0 draw against Curaçao, but a 2-0 loss to Honduras last time out crushed their momentum—and their five-match unbeaten streak. Now, they face an even tougher task: overcoming a Canada team they haven’t beaten in six straight competitive meetings. Their last meaningful victory against Les Rouges? All the way back in a 1997 World Cup qualifier.