The 2026 World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers return this weekend, and all eyes flip to Estadio Jorge Gonzalez, the place El Salvador will host Panama in what guarantees to be a tense and tactical battle. Each groups discover themselves looking for momentum after combined begins to their qualifying campaigns.
El Salvador enters this match on the again of a slender 2-1 defeat to Suriname, whereas Panama, nonetheless with no win, was held to a 1-1 draw by Guatemala. Only a single level separates the 2 sides in Group A — and with qualification hopes hanging within the steadiness, Friday’s encounter may show pivotal in shaping their path to the 2026 World Cup.
Whereas the anticipation amongst followers grows, a lot of the pre-match dialogue facilities across the anticipated lineups, which reveal how each Hernan Gomez and Thomas Christiansen plan to outwit one another on the tactical entrance.
El Salvador’s qualifying journey started with a robust 1-0 victory over Guatemala, giving hope that La Selecta may lastly finish their 44-year World Cup absence. However that optimism took a blow after their house defeat to Suriname, a loss that ended their two-year unbeaten run in San Salvador. To make issues worse, the Salvadoran Soccer Federation was hit with a wonderful for racist and discriminatory habits from followers throughout that match, leading to a decreased house crowd for Saturday’s fixture.
For the Blue and White, ahead Joaquin Rivas would be the key attacking outlet as soon as once more, supported by midfield veterans Darwin Ceren and Narciso Orellana, whose expertise will likely be important in sustaining management.
Panama’s seek for attacking rhythm
Panama arrives in San Salvador decided to search out its first victory of the marketing campaign. Beneath Thomas Christiansen, the aspect has been organized and defensively sturdy, however their assault has struggled to transform probabilities, with simply two objectives scored of their final three matches.
After a strong Gold Cup run that ended within the quarter-finals, Panama started their qualifiers with a 0-0 draw in opposition to Suriname and adopted it with one other stalemate in opposition to Guatemala. Panama’s power lies in its midfield trio, anchored by Adalberto Carrasquilla, who continues to dictate play along with his creativity and composure. The staff’s defensive position, led by Fidel Escobar and Michael Amir Murillo, stays one of the disciplined within the area, having saved three consecutive clear sheets on the highway.
El Salvador vs Panama: Projected lineups
El Salvador predicted XI (4-4-2): Mario Gonzalez; Bryan Tamacas, Alexander Larin, Roberto Dominguez, Lizandro Claros; Darwin Ceren, Narciso Orellana, Jairo Henriquez, Marvin Monterroza; Joaquin Rivas, Nelson Bonilla.
Panama predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Orlando Mosquera; Michael Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Harold Cummings, Eric Davis; Adalberto Carrasquilla, Cristian Martinez; Alberto Quintero, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Ismael Diaz; Jose Fajardo.
