Honduras vs. El Salvador: Which Surprise Star Will Define the Battle for 2025 Gold Cup Quarterfinals?

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is firing up, and you better believe Honduras and El Salvador are gearing up for a showdown that’s more than just another game. Matchday 2 at Shell Energy Stadium (10 p.m. ET kickoff!) is where both teams will hustle hard to climb the Group B ladder — nobody wants to linger in the shadows this early on. Honduras steps onto the pitch nursing a bruising 6-0 blowout by Canada, a stark reality check that tossed them to the bottom of the group. Coach Reinaldo Rueda knows it’s do-or-die time to rally his squad and chase down those quarterfinal dreams. El Salvador, on the other hand, limped out of their last outing with a scoreless tie against Curaçao — frustrating, considering Curaçao’s shaky finishing — and with Canada looming on the horizon, every point counts like gold. This isn’t just a game; it’s a pivotal chapter in a rivalry laced with bitter memories and fierce ambition. Want to dive deeper? LEARN MORE.

Honduras and El Salvador are set to face off on Matchday 2 as the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup heats up, with teams still looking to take key steps toward advancing to the next round. With kickoff at Shell Energy Stadium scheduled for 10 p.m. ET, both sides will aim to position themselves near the top of Group B.

Honduras enters the match after suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to one of the tournament favorites, Canada, leaving them at the bottom of Group B. Head coach Reinaldo Rueda will look to steer his squad back on track and keep their quarterfinal hopes alive with a much-needed win.

El Salvador, meanwhile, comes into this matchup following a scoreless draw against Curaçao, where the Caribbean side missed multiple clear chances to secure the victory. With Canada looming as their final group-stage opponent, El Salvador knows they need points here to strengthen their position in the standings.

A game with history

The last time these two teams met in the Gold Cup was in the 2019 edition. On Matchday 3 at BMO Stadium, El Salvador, sitting on four points, had the opportunity to claim the top spot in Group C with a win over Honduras, who had already been eliminated. But the result was one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

La H stunned El Salvador with a dominant 4-0 victory, and due to goal difference, Curaçao—who had drawn with Jamaica—secured the second qualifying spot instead. Now, with that painful exit still in mind, La Selecta will seek revenge and aim for a crucial win to boost their qualification chances.

see also

Gold Cup 2025 TV Schedule USA and Streaming Links

Projected lineups for Honduras and El Salvador

Honduras’ projected lineups (4-5-1): Edrick Menjivar; Christopher Melendez, Getsel Montes, Luis Vega, Joseph Rosales; Luis Palma, Alexy Vega, Deybi Flores, Kervin Arriaga, Romell Quioto; Anthony Lozano.
Head coach: Reinaldo Rueda.

El Salvador’s projected lineups (4-3-3): Mario Gonzalez; Bryan Tamacas, Julio Sibrian, Jorge Cruz, Diego Flores; Brayan Landaverde, Melvin Cartagena, Harold Osorio; Elvin Alvarado, Brayan Gil, Jairo Henriquez.
Head coach: Hernan Gomez.