The second shock of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup came on Monday as Haiti topped Group B after defeating Costa Rica 2-1 at Red Bull Arena.
Alvaro Sabario’s header in the 13th-minute deflected in off Haiti defender Djimy Bend Alexis for a 1-0 Ticos lead. Ronald Matarrita sent the cross towards the back post and an unfortunate deflection gave the expected favorites a lead.
Les Grenadiers equalized after halftime as Duckens Nazon scored from the penalty spot after Francisco Calvo barged off him inside of the box. Nazon buried his spot kick into the corner of the goal for a 1-1 scoreline.
Alexis made up for his own-goal earlier in the match to bury the winning goal in the 81st-minute underneath the crossbar. Matarrita couldn’t deal with a cross from Alex Christian and the defender sealed the comeback for the Haitians.
HAITI TAKE THE LEAD!
What a moment for 21-year-old Djimy Alexis 👏
As it stands Haiti will finish on 🔝 of Group B. pic.twitter.com/dIfxQiYjRI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2019
Haiti will face Group A runners-up Canada on Saturday in one quarterfinal tie while Costa Rica takes on Mexico later that day.
Bermuda 2 – Nicaragua 0
Bermuda claimed its first-ever Gold Cup win as they downed Nicaragua 2-0 at Red Bull Arena in the early contest.
The goals came 10 minutes apart in the second-half after the teams were level through 60 minutes.
Lejuan Simmons was played in by Osagi Bascome and powered a shot past Henry Maradiaga for a 1-0 lead.
Bermuda finally break through! 🇧🇲
What a pass by Bascome to set up Lejuan Simmons for the finish 🔥 #GoldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/qro32tgS9S
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2019
Burnley striker Nahki Wells headed in Simmons’ cross at the back post, ten minutes later to ice the win for Bermuda. It was Wells’ second goal of the Gold Cup.
Bermuda finish the tournament in third while Nicaragua are fourth.
I watched this game and know nothing about Haiti’s team. Just from last night, Haiti looked to be more attacking and adventurous. It’s one thing to rip shots 30 yards out because you lack the skill or technical ability to get closer, and it’s another thing to rip shots from 30 yards and actually test the keeper each time. They were fearless and looked like they were having more fun out there. I love to see that and hope they continue this run and the players get that international exposure!!
Also, big shoutout to their goalie who is the opposite of skinny and I love it!!
Costa Rica has a similar problem to the US in that they are missing a generation most their squad is either U23 or over 30. Saborio is 37, Ruiz 33 hasn’t even played a club match since early November. Navas has been the difference when he’s with this club their good when he’s not and they are not at home their pretty average, they are 7-3-16 since beating the US in qualifying 2-0. The US in that time 9-6-8.
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Haiti has looked good in their past few GCs but then lose in the quarters so we’ll see. I think Canada is a better club.
All of BK is celebrating with Haiti!! Shouts to my Haitians on Fulton and especially in Flatbush.
I love the passion that some of these players play with, running back to his bench to celebrate with the coaching staff and teammates…..that’s why it’s called “the beautiful game”!!!!
This is pretty cool to see a small, third world country rising to the next level of international soccer. I’ve been to Haiti on 3 different trips in recent years, and to think they could make a deep run in this year’s GC and maybe someday make it to the Hex (and beyond) is really exciting.
Allez Haiti! Have to love this team, they play with so much heart and fully deserved the win! They also have a couple of technically interesting players and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them knock off Canada. Certainly no pushovers, and they are well coached, besides.
Costa Rica though…ugh… end of a cycle with them? Honduras was also embarrassingly bad, which makes for an exciting prospect during WCQ, with some fresh new faces in the mix perhaps?