Honduras opened the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League with a 4-0 win against visitors Trinidad and Tobago at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Friday night.
Despite strong resolve and attacking first half intent from the visiting Soca Warriors, it was all undone in the final six minutes of the first half when the home team scored twice, both shots generated from the edge of the penalty area.
The Soca Warriors had the first real chance, Reon Nelson’s run through the centre of the penalty area creating an opportunity for Ryan Telfer, whose left-footer was blocked by a combination of goalie Edrick Menjivar and a defender.
Alexander López opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box, which deflected off defensive midfielder Andre Rampersad before flying past goalkeeper Denzil Smith.
Kevin Arriaga extended the lead in the second minute of added-on time with a powerful right-footed drive from the edge of the penalty box, Rampersad again failing to block the shot as it went low past his goalkeeper.
Honduras got two more goals in the second half. Edwin Rodríguez capitalised on a ball to the centre of the box, beating lagging left-defender Andre Raymond to the back post, and getting to Luis Palma’d long pass, to extend Honduras’ lead in the 54th.
David Ruiz scored the final goal from a brilliant solo run when getting inside substitute left-back Triston Hodge and curling a left-footer to the far corner for the final strike of the match in the 86th minute, to cap off an effective offensive display by Los Catrachos.