Haiti delivered a dominant 4-1 victory over its Hispaniola neighbor, Dominican Republic, in some of the anticipated soccer matches Thursday evening at Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo.
The win prolonged Les Grenadiers’ excellent begin within the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League marketing campaign, transferring them nearer to securing a spot within the event’s quarterfinals with one match remaining within the group stage.
The sport carried greater than three factors. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola and deep industrial, household, and social ties, however migration disputes, border tensions, and political disagreements have additionally formed their relationship.
Greater than 23,000 followers attended the match, in response to Dominican media experiences. Tickets had offered out earlier than kickoff, and Haitian supporters celebrated all through the evening.
Haiti made the event rely as Haitians celebrated throughout all 90 minutes. Thursday’s victory supplied a uncommon probability to have fun these ties by way of soccer.
In a post-match interview, star striker Wilson Isidor mentioned the gamers understood the event’s significance for Haitian supporters.
“We had our hearts set on profitable this sport, for all Haitians on the earth,” he mentioned. We knew that this was an essential match for them right this moment. We did the whole lot we may to arrange correctly. I hope they’re pleased with us for the consequence we achieved within the match.”
Deedson Louicius opened the scoring within the ninth minute, ending a transfer assisted by Ruben Windfall. Wilson Isidor then scored twice within the second half, within the 51st and 67th minutes, whereas Dominican Republic ahead Dorny Romero pulled one again within the fifty fifth.
Yassin Fortuné supplied Haiti the three-goal benefit with a header within the 77th minute to finish the scoring.
The victory gave Haiti 9 factors from three matches and stored it among the many prime two groups in Group A, with its sights set on the quarterfinals. Curaçao additionally reached 9 factors after edging Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 earlier Thursday, whereas the Dominican Republic remained on six factors.
Haiti takes management of the sport
Haiti managed the match in practically each class, dominating with 54% possession and producing 14 pictures, 11 on the right track, in response to match statistics. Dominican goalkeeper Xavier Valdez made seven saves, together with a penalty kick from Isidor within the first half.
Windfall performed a key position within the opening aim and remained a continuing menace on Haiti’s left flank, whereas Isidor emerged because the decisive finisher. The striker, who additionally scored in each Haiti’s earlier video games in opposition to Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica, had a brace in opposition to the Dominicans to cap a powerful begin to the competitors.
The Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF) celebrated the consequence after the ultimate whistle.
“We’re proud. We’re pleased. We’re savoring our victory whereas staying centered on the subsequent match!”
A video clip posted on FHF Media’s Fb web page confirmed Haitians working towards the federation’s president, Monique André, to have fun within the stadium tunnel.
The victory additionally prolonged Haiti’s unbeaten benefit within the historic collection between the 2 nationwide groups. Primarily based on 14 head-to-heads since 1976, Haiti now leads the matchup 10-3-1.
Thursday’s match carried each sporting stakes and broader historic resonance. Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Curaçao entered the third matchday of League A’s Group A with six factors every after two victories, making the Santo Domingo showdown an essential battle close to the highest of the standings.
The sport additionally got here at some point earlier than the Oct. 2 anniversary of the start of the 1937 bloodbath of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent underneath Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, some of the traumatic episodes within the historical past of relations between the 2 nations. Haitians in Haiti and overseas made it a subject of dialog in the course of the match build-up.
Badía’s excellent begin continues as Costa Rica awaits in group finale
The victory was head coach David Badía’s third straight since taking up Haiti in early September.
Badía started his tenure with a 3-2 comeback victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Three days later, Haiti defeated Costa Rica 2-0 on the identical venue.
The staff has scored 9 targets and conceded solely three in these three matches, giving Badía an ideal 3-0 file because the staff prepares to shut the group stage.
The Spaniard’s begin comes after Haiti’s participation within the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the primary in 52 years, the place the staff performed all of its matches outdoors Haiti due to the nation’s safety disaster.
Haiti will shut the group stage Sunday in opposition to Costa Rica at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San José at 8 p.m. ET.
The highest two groups in every of League A’s two teams advance to the quarterfinals, the place they may be part of Mexico, the US, Canada and Panama, which obtained direct entry as prime 4 Concacaf groups. The quarterfinals might be performed over two legs in November.
For Haiti, the speedy goal has modified from surviving the group to figuring out the place it should end among the many qualifiers.
However in Santo Domingo, the message was already clear: On an evening stuffed with anticipation, historical past and nationwide pleasure, Les Grenadiers delivered the consequence Haitian supporters had come to see.
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