The possibilities of the repatriation of land and deportation of these immigrants alarmed El Salvador as it shuddered at the possible return of more than 300,000 landless, restless peasants. Discord and animosity heightened between the two countries and the media of each country waged verbal wars. Newspapers on both sides waged a campaign of hate, slander and abuse, calling each other Nazis, dwarfs, drunkards, sadists, spiders, aggressors and thieves. There were pogroms. It was under these conditions that the 1969 World Cup soccer match between the Salvadoran and Honduran national teams took place.
Soccer is a national pastime in both countries and patriotism becomes intertwined with the team.
El Salvador won the game and sentiments of nationalism combined with the victory produced mass victory celebrations. The Honduran government protested and El Salvador responded by breaking off relations. One month later, on July 15, the Salvadoran government sent troops across the river into Honduras, accusing the Honduran military of abusing the Salvadoran immigrants. The Honduran military retaliated and blood was shed. The number of casualties varies from 500 to 5000 Salvadorans, according to the source.