09.09.2025 13:33
Suriname Upsets El Salvador in Thrilling 2026 World Cup Qualifier
Published on: Sept 09, 2025 09:15 am IST
Dhoraso Klas scored in the 81st minute, leading to Suriname’s stunning 2-1 victory over El Salvador in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Monday. This marks Suriname’s first win over El Salvador since 1968.
Suriname, which has never made it to a World Cup final before, took over the leading position in Group A from El Salvador in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
After opening with a goalless draw against Panama, Suriname broke their eight-match winless streak against El Salvador, reaching four points while the hosts remained on three after previously defeating Guatemala 1-0.
In the other Group A match of the night, Panama and Guatemala drew 1-1, leaving both teams winless after two out of six group matches.
El Salvador continues to lead the all-time series against Suriname with 8 wins to 2 losses, including a draw earlier this year during a preliminary World Cup qualifier.
Suriname’s only prior win over El Salvador occurred in December 1968 during a qualifying match for the 1970 Mexico World Cup.
After an own goal by Suriname in the 73rd minute equalized the match, Klas scored the decisive goal with a right-footed shot from the right side.
Suriname initially took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with a header by Radinio Balker, a Dutch-born defender playing for England’s Huddersfield Town.
Brayan Gil’s potential equalizing goal for El Salvador in the 29th minute was overturned after a video review.
El Salvador eventually tied the game 1-1 after Suriname defender Anfernee Dijksteel’s own goal.
This year, the CONCACAF final round qualifying format changed as Mexico, Canada, and the United States will host the next World Cup. The last 12 teams were divided into three groups of four, with group winners from round-robin matches through November advancing to the World Cup. Two second-place teams will proceed to playoffs against nations from other confederations.
In Panama City, Guatemala took the lead in the 35th minute with Oscar Santis’ powerful right-footed shot from the box’s center.
Carlos Harvey equalized for Panama in the 37th minute with a header from the box’s center into the bottom right corner, assisted by Eric Davis.
Panama remains unbeaten against Guatemala in 15 matches across all competitions since 2005, with four draws and 11 wins.
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