The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup has commenced, and Curaçao and El Salvador faced off in a Group B match at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, on June 17, 2025. The match concluded in a 0-0 draw, with both teams sharing a point.
Both Curaçao and El Salvador are part of Group B in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, alongside Canada and Honduras. The group stage, which runs from June 14 to June 24, determines which teams will advance to the knockout stage. The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Quarterfinals, scheduled for June 28 and 29. The Semifinals will take place on July 2, and the final is set for July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The match between Curaçao and El Salvador saw few breakthrough moments. El Salvador's goalie, Mario Gonzalez, made a crucial save to deny Leandro Bacuna a goal. On the other end, Diego Flores of El Salvador attempted a shot, but it went high and wide. The referee for the match was Garcia Mendoza K. I. from Mexico.
Several yellow cards were issued during the game. Leandro Bacuna of Curaçao received a yellow card early in the 2nd minute. Later, in the 36th minute, M. Cartagena from El Salvador was booked, followed by Juninho Bacuna of Curaçao in the 40th minute. Just before halftime, in the 45+1 minute, B. Gil of El Salvador also received a yellow card.
In the 73rd minute, both teams made substitutions. El Salvador brought in E. Hernandez for E. Alvarado and D. Ceren for H. Osorio. Curaçao substituted J. Antonisse for K. Gorre and J. Locadia for G. Kastaneer. In the 76th minute, El Salvador replaced B. Gil with E. Mauricio. Finally, in the 84th minute, Curaçao substituted G. Roemeratoe for L. Comenencia.
Curaçao's national team has been making strides in recent years. They are currently coached by Dick Advocaat and have climbed to 90th in the FIFA world rankings. Their squad includes players such as Jearl Margaritha, a right-wing player for Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship, and Livano Comenencia, a midfielder for Juventus Next Gen in Serie C. In their recent form, Curaçao was unbeaten in their last seven matches before the Gold Cup.
El Salvador's national team, known as "La Selecta," is currently coached by Hernán Darío Gómez. Their captain is Julio Sibrián. As of April 3, 2025, they were ranked 81st in the FIFA rankings. The team's all-time top scorer is Raúl Díaz Arce, and their home stadium is Estadio Jorge "El Mágico" González.
The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup features 16 teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean, plus guest nation Saudi Arabia. The teams are divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The tournament is being co-hosted by the United States and Canada, serving as their last official competitive appearances before co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico.
The Curaçao vs. El Salvador match highlights are available on FOX Sports.
