Martinique scored two goals in the first 16 minutes before holding on through most of the second half with 10 players to beat El Salvador 2-1 Monday in Group C play of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Patrick Burner (11th minute) and Kevin Fortune (16th) each capitalized on sloppy El Salvador turnovers to cash in for what became an insurmountable lead for Martinique, which has been ousted in the group stage in five consecutive Gold Cup appearances.
After Martinique controlled much of the pace in the first half, Jonathan Rivierez was called for a red card in the 48th minute, forcing Martinique to play a man down for the rest of the match.
Goalkeeper Yannis Clementia rose to the challenge, producing eight saves — several in spectacular fashion, including a full-stretch diving stop of Jairo Henriquez’s penalty attempt in the 83rd minute.
El Salvador avoided the shutout in the fifth and final minute of extra time, this time converting a deflected penalty shot by Bryan Tamacas on what became the final play of the match.
–Field Level Media
