 In April 2011 , two months before the start of the Gold Cup , José Luis <unk> was replaced as coach by Rubén Israel , who introduced a new system and spirit into the team . At the 2011 Gold Cup , El Salvador was drawn into a group with Costa Rica , Cuba , and powerhouses Mexico . Despite losing 5 – 0 to Mexico , a dramatic 1 – 1 draw with Costa Rica ( where Rodolfo Zelaya scored a 25 @-@ yard free kick opener at 45 ' and Costa Rica equalized at 90 + 5 ) and a 6 – 1 win over Cuba were enough to send El Salvador to the knockout stage . This was the first time El Salvador had reached the knockout stage of a Gold Cup since the 2003 edition . In the quarter finals they faced Panama . The game ended in a 1 – 1 draw , with Panama controversially equalizing at 89 ' when striker Luis Tejada weaved between several defenders and drove a ball that was caught by goalkeeper Miguel Montes . This was controversial for two reasons . One , there was confusion as to whether the shot from Tejada was with his head or his hand . Two , it was unclear whether the ball had crossed the line . Eventually , referee <unk> Quesada ruled that Montes caught the ball behind the goal line thus tying the game at 1 – 1 in the last minute of regular time . Coach Rubén Israel called the decision an " error of haste . " Panama won the ensuing penalty shootout 5 – 3 . 
