HOUSTON, Texas — Paraguay fought to a 3-2 victory over El Salvador thanks to a Jessica Martinez hat-trick to conclude play in Group C of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup on Wednesday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
With the result, Paraguay advance to the knockout round as the second-place team in Group C, while fellow Group C side Costa Rica advance as the second-best third-place team following a drawing of lots with Puerto Rico.
¡Un hat-trick de Martínez mete a Paraguay en Cuartos de Final! pic.twitter.com/QpNNBYj913
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 29, 2024
El Salvador’s Samaria Gomez had a promising attempt in the 1’ at the top of the box. The hit went just over the bar as La Selecta stated its intentions early.
A penalty in favor of Paraguay was called in the 17’ after VAR confirmed a handball inside the penalty area from Salvadoran defender Vasthy Delgado.
Martinez converted from the penalty spot in the 18’ to open the scoring. El Salvador GK Idalia Serrano dove to the right and got a hand on the attempt but could not keep the ball from kissing the back netting.
The teams then traded chances, with Samantha Fisher of El Salvador winning the ball from the defense in the 23’, shooting just wide of the left post. Paraguay’s Limpia Fretes nearly surprised with a lobbed hit from the right flank in the 30’, but Serrano grasped the ball to calmly halt any danger. Gomez then had a look towards goal in the 38’, but put too much power behind her hit and the ball went wide.
El Salvador kept pushing for an equalizer and Gomez was taken down inside the box at the 67’ for an El Salvador penalty. Fisher had her spot kick blocked by Paraguay GK Alicia Bobadilla, but converted on the rebound in the 68’ to equalize, 1-1.
Danielle Fuentes then hit a well-timed strike in the 83’ to take the lead for El Salvador, 2-1.
Back came Paraguay and they earned a penalty in the 85’ after Rebeca Fernandez was taken down in the box. Martinez converted to complete her brace and tie the game.
Martinez had one final magical touch up her sleeve and headed in the game-winner at the far post to complete her hat-trick in the 90’+1 and give La Albirroja its second win of the tournament.
