This is the third all-time Gold Cup meeting between Honduras and El Salvador, with Honduras winning both previous encounters by a combined score of 5–0. After a disastrous 6–0 loss to Canada, Honduras sits bottom of Group B and must win to keep knockout hopes alive. El Salvador, meanwhile, earned a point in a 0–0 draw with Curaçao and can take a major step toward the quarterfinals with a win.
Honduras: Reeling from Historic Defeat
FIFA Ranking: 75
Last Match: 0–6 loss vs Canada
Gold Cup Record: 2-time runners-up (1991, 2005)
Strengths:
Veteran Core: Romell Quioto, Deybi Flores, and Bryan Acosta bring experience and leadership.
Set-Piece Threat: Honduras has historically been dangerous on corners and free kicks.
Motivation to Bounce Back: After their worst Gold Cup loss in history, expect a fired-up response.
Concerns:
Defensive Collapse: Conceded 6 goals to Canada, including 4 in the second half.
Low Morale: Confidence may be shaken after such a heavy defeat.
Inconsistent Form: Lost 3 of their last 5 matches across all competitions.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Menjívar; Rosales, Montes, L. Vega, Meléndez; Flores, Arriaga; Palma, A. Vega, Benguché; Quioto
El Salvador: Compact and Unbeaten in Five
FIFA Ranking: 80
Last Match: 0–0 draw vs Curaçao
Gold Cup Record: Quarterfinals (2011, 2013, 2017)
Strengths:
Defensive Solidity: Two clean sheets in their last three matches; Mario González in strong form.
Midfield Grit: Bryan Landaverde and Melvin Cartagena provide bite and ball-winning ability.
Recent Consistency: Unbeaten in five straight matches across all competitions.
Concerns:
Lack of Firepower: Just one shot on target vs Curaçao; no goals in last two matches.
Possession Struggles: Held just 39% possession in their opener.
Gold Cup Drought: Winless in the tournament since 2021.
Predicted XI (4-3-3):
González; Tamacas, Sibrián, Cruz, Larin; Cartagena, Landaverde, Osorio; Henriquez, Gil, Ordaz
Head-to-Head & Key Stats
| Category | Honduras | El Salvador |
| FIFA Ranking | 75 | 80 |
| Last 5 Matches | L–W–W–W–L | D–D–W–D–D |
| Gold Cup 2025 Record | 0–1–0 (0 pts) | 0–0–1 (1 pt) |
| All-Time Gold Cup H2H | Honduras leads 2–0 | — |
| Last Meeting | 1–1 draw (Mar 2024, friendly) | — |
Honduras has never lost to El Salvador in Gold Cup history
El Salvador is unbeaten in 6 straight matches vs CONCACAF teams
Over 2.5 goals has hit in 4 of Honduras’ last 6 matches
Players to Watch
Honduras:
Romell Quioto: Veteran striker with 13 international goals; physical and clinical.
Luis Palma: Winger with pace and creativity; key to unlocking El Salvador’s low block.
Deybi Flores: Midfield anchor with 49 caps; poised to earn his 50th.
El Salvador:
Brayan Gil: Scored in the last friendly vs Honduras; mobile and opportunistic.
Mario González: Goalkeeper with 2 clean sheets in last 3 starts.
Jairo Henríquez: Winger with flair and long-range shooting ability.
Projected Score:
Honduras 1, El Salvador 0
MATCH ODDS
Honduras – 135 Draw + 265 El Salvador + 400
Over 2.5 + 115 Under 2.5 – 145
2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Match Preview: Honduras vs. El SalvadorOdds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 20, 2025
