The Football War:
1969
El Salvador and Honduras
are neighbours in Central America. In June 1969 they
played each other to qualify for the 1970 World Cup.
Honduras won the first game at home 1-0, but a week
later El Salvador won the return match 3-0. As goal
difference was not counted the two teams were level. A
replay was organised in Mexico City.
Tense
They played the replay two weeks later in Mexico City.
There was a very tense atmosphere. After a very
exciting game the score was 2-2 at the end on normal
time. In extra-time El Salvador scored a dramatic
winning goal.
Almost immediately a war started between the two
countries. It only lasted a few days but around three
thousand people were killed.