The good streak of cuban soccer In the minor categories it extended to the under-17 team, which with the 2-1 victory over its counterpart from El Salvador this Sunday was half a step away from securing a ticket for the World Cup which this year will repeat its scenario in Qatar.
On the grass of the Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City, headquarters of qualifying group F, the island’s team showed physical and mental strength to achieve the comeback, after conceding in the 27th minute a goal from Myson Barillas that got the score going, according to the report from the portal elsalvador.com.
Ending the week on the highest of notes pic.twitter.com/74mzg4Cvhu
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 9, 2026
The reaction of the Cubans, who showed good associative play, was crystallized just seven minutes later through Yiankarlos Iglesias. A lost ball by the Central Americans generated the effective counterattack that sealed the tie.
However, the best of the Cuban attacker’s display was seen in the 37th minute, when he took the ball on the right wing. After advancing a few meters to the edge of the area, he unleashed a powerful shot that left the rival goalkeeper with no options, thus setting immovable numbers on the board until the final whistle.
The definition of NAIL IT to the angle pic.twitter.com/gXIeyvb7Dn
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 9, 2026
Beyond the individual talent of Iglesias, the important step to reach another World Cup was sustained by the order and defensive discipline demonstrated by the group, which closed ranks to defend the advantage tooth and nail against the constant siege of the Salvadorans.
Providencial was the save by Cuban goalkeeper Noslen Godínez in the 84th minute, when a header from Enzo Garay seriously threatened to balance the score.
In this way, the second victory of a Cuban team over its counterpart from El Salvador in the last three months was achieved, as the island’s squad, as a guest, won 5-3 at the closing of the UNCAF under-19 tournament that was held last December in Panama.
These results consolidate the good performances in the lower categories, a few months after a cast from the island will leave a good image in the U-20 World Cup, held in Chile.
Decisive impulse
With the victory over the most complex rival in the bracket, the Cuban team reached 6 points and an offensive average of +2 goals, since in its debut it had managed to defeat the representative of Curacao by 1-0.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, he could cover the last stretch that separates him from the 2026 World Cup in Qatar, and to do so he only needs to get a draw in his duel against Belize, who debuted by losing against El Salvador and in his most recent presentation negotiated a 2-2 equality with Curacao.
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 9, 2026
Those led by Pedro Pablo Pereira have a high probability of meeting the objective, which if achieved would mark the third Cuban presence in the universal competitions of the category.
The first incursion dates back to the 1989 edition, held in Scotland, and two years later the experience was repeated, when the tournament was played in Italy.
However, the Cuban presentations have ended with discreet results with just one draw in six games. Equality was recorded in the debut with a score of 2-2 against the Ghana team.
