Bonilla brace hands El Salvador winning start vs. Grenada

MIAMI, Florida – Nelson Bonilla scored a pair of goals to help El Salvador get off to a winning
start in Group D of League A of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League in a 3-1 victory over Grenada on Saturday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Both of Bonilla’s goals came inside the first 45 minutes, pacing the Cuscatlecos to the three points in a battle of two teams promoted from League B.

Barely 100 seconds had ticked off the clock when El Salvador took a 1-0 lead, as a cross from Bryan Tamacas took the slightest of glances off the head of Enrico Duenas, allowing Bonilla to
swoop in and stab home a shot.

The joy for the home side was short-lived, however, and just three minutes later in the 5’, Grenada were on even terms, 1-1, on a fantastic touch and half-volley rocketed in by Alexander McQueen.

Still, it was El Salvador staying in control and generating the large majority of the scoring
chances, and Bonilla scored his second of the night in the 43’ by receiving a clever touch pass from Alexander Larin and finishing from the slimmest of angles to give his side a 2-1 lead.

El Salvador kept their foot on the gas and they stretched their advantage to 3-1 in the 55’ when
a deep cross from Dennis Pineda was turned into net by Grenada DF Arthur Paterson.

The insurance goal allowed El Salvador to take full control, as the home side calmly saw things
out in the final half-hour to cement the win to start the group.