MIAMI, Florida – This Friday at 7:00 PM ET, Concacaf will be airing a re-broadcast of two Concacaf Gold Cup classics, the first being the Group C finale between Honduras and El Salvador from the 2019 Gold Cup, followed by the 2011 Gold Cup Final between Mexico and the United States. Both matches will be shown on Concacaf’s Facebook and YouTube pages, plus the Concacaf App.
From start to finish, 2019 Gold Cup Group C was full of twists and turns involving Jamaica, El Salvador, Honduras and Curacao.
Ironically, three of the four teams, Jamaica, Curacao and El Salvador, had all been drawn against each other in the group stage of the 2017 Gold Cup, so needless to say there was plenty of familiarity when the action started.
The group kicked off play in historical fashion, with Jamaica’s Independence Park in Kingston serving as the site for the first two matches, marking the first time in history that the Gold Cup was played in the Caribbean.
A goal from Nelson Bonilla earned El Salvador a hard-fought 1-0 win over Curacao, while Jamaica put on a show in front of the home fans, thanks in part to a Dever Orgill brace, as they topped Honduras 3-2.
BBVA Stadium in Houston welcomed in the teams for the next round of matches and the winners from opening day, El Salvador and Jamaica, battled to a scoreless draw to give themselves each four points heading into the final matchday.
The nightcap between Curacao and Honduras was a must-win, and history again was made as Curacao collected a first ever Gold Cup victory by defeating the Catrachos 1-0 on the strength of a Leandro Bacuna goal.
The result meant that Honduras were eliminated from advancing to the knockout round, but there was still plenty at stake going into the group stage finales at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
Jamaica looked set to pick up another three points as they lead Curacao late, 1-0, but Jurien Gaari would strike in the third minute of stoppage time to give Curacao a dramatic draw and four points overall, while Jamaica finished with five points.
All eyes turned to the final match of the group, with El Salvador, sitting on four points, only needing a point to advance. Honduras had other ideas though and played the role of spoiler against their fellow Central Americans, as four second half goals lifted Honduras to a 4-0 win, paving the way for a first-ever Gold Cup knockout round berth for Curacao, joining Jamaica in the quarterfinals.
