The Mexico Women's national basketball team opened their Central America Women's Centrobasket Championship campaign with a hard-fought 62–46 victory over El Salvador Women on July 26, 2026. The match, played at a neutral venue within the region, saw Mexico control the tempo from the opening tip-off, though El Salvador refused to go quietly, keeping the contest competitive deep into the second half.

Match Overview

Mexico entered the tournament as one of the favorites, and their depth and defensive intensity proved decisive. After a close first quarter, the Mexican side used a strong second-quarter run to build a double-digit lead. El Salvador, however, responded with a gritty third-quarter performance, cutting the deficit to single digits and forcing Mexico to call a timeout. In the fourth quarter, Mexico's veteran leadership and superior conditioning took over, as they outscored El Salvador 18–10 to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First Quarter: Both teams traded baskets early, with Mexico holding a slim 14–12 lead after 10 minutes.
• Second Quarter: Mexico's full-court press forced three quick turnovers, sparking an 8–0 run that stretched the lead to 34–22 at halftime.
• Third Quarter: El Salvador's shooting guard connected on back-to-back three-pointers, igniting a 12–4 run that brought the score to 44–40 with one quarter remaining.
• Fourth Quarter: Mexico's center dominated the paint, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in the final period, while the defense held El Salvador to just 10 points.

Standout Players

For Mexico, the forward duo of Ana García (18 points, 11 rebounds) and María López (14 points, 6 assists) provided the offensive firepower and defensive backbone. El Salvador was led by Karla Hernández, who finished with a game-high 20 points, including four three-pointers, but received little help from her teammates, as no other Salvadoran player reached double figures.

Statistical Breakdown

• Field Goal Percentage: Mexico 42% – El Salvador 36%
• Three-Pointers: Mexico 5/18 (28%) – El Salvador 8/24 (33%)
• Rebounds: Mexico 42 – El Salvador 31
• Turnovers: Mexico 12 – El Salvador 18
• Fast Break Points: Mexico 16 – El Salvador 6

Tournament Implications

With the win, Mexico moves to 1–0 in Group A and takes an early advantage in the race for the semifinals. El Salvador, despite the loss, showed enough fight to suggest they could be a threat against other opponents in the group stage. The Centrobasket Championship serves as a qualifier for the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, adding extra significance to every result. Mexico will look to build on this performance when they face their next group opponent, while El Salvador hopes to bounce back quickly.