El Salvador, Nicaragua win Nations League Play-In openers
El Salvador and Nicaragua earned first-leg victories over Saint Martin and Montserrat, respectively, as their pursuit of Gold Cup Prelims berths continues.
MIAMI – El Salvador and Nicaragua secured first-leg victories on Friday in the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League A and C Play-In, defeating Saint Martin and Montserrat, respectively.
Saint Martin 0-2 El Salvador
The first Play-In match of the day saw El Salvador claim a 2-0 win against Saint Martin at NBG Technical Center in St. Peter’s, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
El Salvador broke the deadlock in the 34’ through a spectacular right-footed half-volley from Brayan Gil from long range.
Saint Martin was forced to close out the match down a man after Mattéo Makhabe was shown a red card in the 47’.
La Selecta doubled its lead to seal the result in the 83’, as Mauricio Cerritos scored his first international goal with a powerful low drive from outside the box to the bottom-left corner.
El Salvador will take the two-goal advantage into the second leg, when it hosts Saint Martin on Tuesday, November 17.
Montserrat 1-2 Nicaragua
The second Play-In battle of the day saw Nicaragua come from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Montserrat at Estadio Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Montserrat was left down a man in the 17’ when Lenni Cirino was shown a red card.
Montserrat found the opener in the 35’ through Ashley Boatswin, whose initial attempt from the penalty spot was saved before he capitalized on the rebound to strike from close range.
Nicaragua equalized in the 59’ through an own goal from defender Samuel Fenton.
Efraín Mejía sealed the victory for Nicaragua in the 72’, breaking into the box with an individual play down the left flank before striking the ball into the top-right corner of the net with a right-footed curler.
Nicaragua will take the one-goal lead to the second leg, when it hosts Montserrat on Tuesday, November 17.
