Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Canada, Costa Rica will look to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on El Salvador at Estadio Cuscatlan on Sunday. Los Ticos are eager to cement their spot in top four, but beating El Salvador on the road is easier said than done. Experienced midfielder Bryan Ruiz should once again start from the bench, while former Arsenal ace Joel Campbell will keep his place in the starting XI.
La Selecta, on the other hand, missed out on qualification for the showpiece tournament in Qatar. El Salvador have little to play for in the last two group games, which is probably the main reason why away win should be considered. Bonilla, who limped off with injury in a 1-1 draw with Jamaica, is unlikely to feature against Costa Rica, with all Vasquez Velasquez, Lemus, and Rivas are pushing for a start.
Highlighted Player (Andres Flores):
Nicknamed Ruso, Andres Flores joined River Plate youth academy in 2006. Flores played for River Plate’s Reserves from 2006 to 2008 and he was producing terrific displays with los Millonarios. However, he began his professional career in his homeland club Isidro Metapan, scoring ten goals in 95 appearances for the Salvadorian outfit. In 2012 he signed a loan deal with Danish club Viborg, but he played only one game for the Greens.
Andres Flores was then sent on a loan to New York Cosmos and after making eight appearances for the MCU Park outfit, he signed a permanent contract with the club in 2015. The El Salvador midfielder, who is capable of playing as a striker as well, made his debut for New York Cosmos on August 2, 2014 in a 1-0 loss to Carolina RailHawks.
Speaking of his international career, Andres Flores received his first call-up for the El Salvador national football team in March, 2008 in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago.
Highlighted Team (Costa Rica):
Los Ticos are administered by the Costa Rican Football Federation and are members of the CONCACAF confederation competing at the international stage since 1921, although it was not until 1927 that they had become the FIFA members.
Costa Rica is the most successful national football team in the history of Central America with eight championships and their decorated reputation was upheld in 2014 when the current Central American champions made an imposing impression during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Having reached the quarter-finals, Costa Ricans continue to be a thorn in the side for a many bigger soccer nations.
Alvaro Saborio is the most-capped member of the current team captained by Bryan Ruiz, but the most prominent star of the squad is definitely Real Madrid goalkeeper and 2016 Champions League winner Keylor Navas. Arsenal forward Joel Campbell is also a notable player whose 2014 FIFA World Cup performances have been nothing short of impressive.