DALLAS, Texas – It will be a battle of high-octane attacks with top spot in 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Group A on the line when El Salvador clash with Mexico on Sunday night at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.
El Salvador head into the contest flying high after posting back-to-back 2-0 victories over Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
La Selecta have already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, but they would like nothing more than to win the group with either a draw or victory against Mexico.
In three previous Gold Cup meetings with El Tricolor, El Salvador were defeated in all three, with nine goals conceded and just one goal scored.
But it is a new day in El Salvador under the direction of Head Coach Hugo Perez. A dynamic attack has taken hold within the Cuscatlecos, led by FW Jairo Henriquez, who scored versus Trinidad and Tobago and has five shots in the tournament.
Left back Alexander Larin could figure to be a key piece as well, with his timed runs down the left flank and his experience against Mexico. Larin played in El Salvador’s last Gold Cup match against Mexico, a 3-1 defeat in the 2017 group stage. Larin also scored against Mexico in 2016 during Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Russia 2018.
Mexico, sitting on four points, can claim top spot in the group with a win and Head Coach Gerardo Martino can counter El Salvador with a venerable attack of his own.
FW Rogelio Funes Mori bagged a brace in the 3-0 win over Guatemala and now has three goals in three games for El Tricolor. MF maestro Hector Herrera is also in fine form, with an assist and three shots against the Chapines.
There is a long, storied history between the two sides, with Mexico owning a 29W-1D-4L record against the Central Americans, however a new-look El Salvador will be eager to change that beginning on Sunday.
