The Curse Continues. Argentina wins with Authority 3-0 over a weak El Salvador Team.

By Fernando Abarca

"The Curse Continues. El Salvador adds a 21-game losing streak"

Argentina and El Salvador have a limited history, and it is never a good time for El Salvador when they collide. Last night at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, witnessed the current World Champions' quality, which only helped reveal the deficiencies of a Salvadoran team that meant no danger or purpose for La Albiceleste.

The attendance was relatively low, 15,000 people made the act of presence in a stadium that holds up to 70,000 people. The rain and cold weather conditions were factors to consider, as well as the prices for the game.

The odds favored the Argentine team from the beginning despite not having Captain Lionel Messi due to an injury suffered during the Inter Miami-Nashville clash for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Messi’s absence did not influence the result. “Cuti” Romero, Fernandez, and Lo Celso orchestrated the 3-0 over El Salvador as Argentina started their warm-up games for Copa America next summer.

On the other hand, El Salvador suffered absences. Mayer and Bryan Gil did not obtain their visa in time for the game, and Amando Moreno was sidelined due to injury, so in that way avoiding a compromising situation. Bryan Tamacas from the Oakland Roots SC and Alianza FC Goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez were available for the game.

Lionel Scaloni's team was entirely superior to David Doniga's El Salvador, who recorded his second defeat as El Salvador's coach and fourth game without a victory since his arrival. El Salvador started the game with a line of three: Clavel, Tamacas, and Blanco as wingers and a trio of Narciso, Cerén, and Martínez. They attacked with Jairo and Bonilla under the gaze of Emiliano "El Dibu" Martínez.

Argentina found the goal quickly after a very good first 15 minutes. El Salvador, where they were good in blocks and caused a couple of arrivals on the opposite goal by Jairo Henríquez that ended up being deflected by the Argentine defender. However, at 15 minutes in a cross into the area, "Cuti" Romero beat Rudy Clavel in the jump to beat Mario González for the first time.

After a goal, it was all for Argentina. Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo de Paul took over the midfield, and players like Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martínez began to appear and damaged the Salvadoran defenders.

El Salvador held the 1-0 lead as best it could. Narciso Orellana, Darwin Cerén, and Christian Martínez could no longer maintain their balance. Blanco and Tamacas were constantly outplayed, and Mario González had to see his second goal against in the 41st minute, this time by Enzo Fernández, who closed on the right to finish the play.

El Salvador closed the first half with two goals against Argentina, completely superior, feeling unable to face the world champion.

In the second half, El Salvador could not hold on for long. There were several clashes on the field, such as that between Narciso and Lo Celso, and many fouls near Mario González's area. Thus, the Albiceleste took the lead with a goal from Lo Celso in the 51st minute, just when they left him alone after a combination in the area. Mario was defeated for the second time that night.

After the 3-0 score, the substitutions began. Garnacho, Barco, Otamendi, Bounanote, Molina, and Mac Allister entered on behalf of Scalonni, while Flores, Punyed, Garay, Fuentes, Sibrian, and Cartagena entered on behalf of Doniga Lara.

Argentina knew how to maintain control of the game and tried to increase the score. David Doniga Lara had no choice but to play with a line of four defenders in the last 10 minutes to prevent Argentina from scoring more. It is worth mentioning Mario Gonzalez's outstanding performance, which was praised by both Salvadoran and Argentine players.

El Salvador managed to hold on until the end. The match ended with a clear and dominating 3-0 victory over an El Salvador team that added its third defeat against the South American team in history.

El Salvador’s next and final assignment is against Honduras on Tuesday night. The team is trying to move on from this loss and seek a victory over an old acquaintance before the start of the qualifiers. Honduras battles the play-in vs. Costa Rica for a spot at Copa America. Meanwhile, Argentina concludes the US tour in Los Angeles against Costa Rica.