The Honduras under-16 national football team rebounded from an opening defeat with a 4-0 victory over Belize at the Estadio Nacional Las Delicias on October 9, 2026, keeping their hopes alive in the UNCAF FIFA Forward 2026 tournament. Following an initial setback against Guatemala earlier in the week, the squad controlled possession and secured three points in Group A under head coach Cristian Aleza.
Kennet Meza opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from a penalty kick. Josué Linares added a second goal immediately after halftime in the 47th minute. Kirian Manzano and Said Canales extended the lead late in the match with goals in the 76th and 78th minutes respectively, securing a clean sheet and improving the team’s goal differential.
How Honduras Built a Four-Goal Victory Over Belize
The tactical setup imposed by Aleza established total dominance in midfield, starving the Belizean attack of service and creating repeated scoring opportunities.
Meza broke the deadlock midway through the first half by converting from the penalty spot. The comfortable margin allowed the coaching staff to substitute players and manage physical workloads ahead of the tournament’s closing fixture. Manzano and Canales rounded out the scoring in quick succession inside the final fifteen minutes.
What the Group A Standings Require for a Place in the Final
With the 4-0 win, Honduras holds three points in Group A with a goal difference of +2. Only the winner of each group advances to the tournament final. The qualification path depends heavily on the outcome between hosts El Salvador and Guatemala.
A draw between El Salvador and Guatemala would leave both sides on four points, meaning a victory for Honduras against El Salvador on Sunday at 8:00 PM local time would send the Hondurans through, provided they surpass Guatemala’s goal differential. If either El Salvador or Guatemala wins that fixture, that team will reach six points. In that scenario, Honduras must defeat El Salvador and hope Belize takes points off Guatemala to force a triple-tie or secure direct advancement.
Questions Surrounding the Group A Finale
When does Honduras play its final group match?
Honduras faces tournament host El Salvador on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time at the Estadio Nacional Las Delicias.
Who scored the goals in the match against Belize?
Kennet Meza scored via penalty in the 22nd minute, Josué Linares scored in the 47th minute, Kirian Manzano scored in the 76th minute, and Said Canales scored in the 78th minute.
What is the qualification rule for the UNCAF tournament?
Only the first-place finisher in Group A and Group B advances directly to the championship final.
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