Guatemala City watched a long-awaited release at Estadio Manuel Felipe Carrera as Guatemala swept aside El Salvador 6-0 in the Concacaf Nations League. Luis Fernando Tena’s side turned its first home match of the 2026-27 campaign into a one-sided Central American derby, collecting its first Group B points and its first victory of 2026.
A fast start in Guatemala City
The hosts had arrived after an unsettled beginning to the year, with friendly-match defeats followed by a 3-2 loss to Jamaica in their Nations League opener. Against El Salvador, however, Guatemala seized control almost immediately and never allowed the visitors a route back.
- Darwin Lom put Guatemala ahead after seven minutes.
- Rubio doubled the advantage in the 28th minute.
- Óscar Fajardo made it 3-0 five minutes later, giving Guatemala a commanding interval lead.
El Salvador struggled to slow the Guatemalan attack or build a response after the early goals. The home side continued to press high, found room in the visiting half and effectively settled the contest before the break.
The only first-half concern for Tena was an injury to Óscar Santis, who was carried from the pitch on a stretcher close to the 45th minute. Santis had scored both Guatemalan goals in the defeat to Jamaica.
Fajardo completes a memorable night
There was no retreat from Guatemala after half-time. Aparicio struck in the 56th minute for the fourth goal, extending a margin that was already beyond El Salvador’s reach under coach Hernán Darío Gómez.
Fajardo then gave the evening its defining individual performance. Having scored before the interval, he added goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes to seal his hat-trick and the 6-0 final score.
- 7th minute: Darwin Lom opens the scoring.
- 28th minute: Rubio scores Guatemala’s second.
- 33rd minute: Óscar Fajardo makes it 3-0.
- 56th minute: Aparicio adds the fourth.
- 88th and 92nd minutes: Fajardo completes his treble.
Group B picture shifts
The result lifts Guatemala from its opening defeat to Jamaica and puts its first three points on the board in League A’s Group B. It was also one of the national team’s most emphatic recent international wins.
Guatemala’s next Nations League assignments will come in two matches against Suriname. El Salvador, badly beaten in the capital, must recover quickly if it is to remain in contention for a quarter-final place.
