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The CONCACAF third-round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Nicaragua and Haiti, played on October 9, 2025, at the National Football Stadium in Managua, ended with a decisive 3-0 victory for Haiti.
This was Haiti’s first win in the final round of qualifying, following two draws in its previous matches. The match was briefly suspended in the second half due to a power failure at the stadium, but resumed without further interruption.
Key Events and Goals:
12′: Duckens Nazon (Haiti) opened the scoring with a right-footed shot from close range that found the bottom left corner, capitalizing on a quick counterattack.
35′: Danley Jean Jacques (Haiti) extended the lead, finishing with precision after a build-up play that left the Nicaraguan defense exposed.
90’+2′: Louicius Don Deedson (Haiti) sealed the victory with a goal in the final minute, firing home in stoppage time to extend the lead. Match statistics highlighted Haiti’s efficiency despite the reduced possession:
Nicaragua dominated possession and created more chances, but failed to convert; Haiti’s precise finishing and solid defense made the difference.
This result had significant consequences for both teams in Group C of the third round, where the group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup, the runner-up advances to an intercontinental playoff, and the bottom two are eliminated early. The third round consists of three groups of four teams each, with matches extending until November 2025.
For Haiti, the victory catapulted them to the top of Group C with 5 points from 3 matches (1 win, 2 draws, goal difference +2). It injected a vital boost into their campaign, rekindling hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1974.
Coach Jean-Jacques Pierre praised the team’s resilience, especially after the power outage, and the victory gives them confidence ahead of tougher matches against Honduras and Costa Rica.
Star striker Duckens Nazon’s goal underscored his importance, potentially bringing more international attention to Haitian talent. For Nicaragua: The defeat left them in last place in Group C with just 1 point from 3 matches (0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, goal difference -5). It extended their winless streak in the final round and highlighted persistent defensive weaknesses and attacking inefficiency.
The result increases the pressure on coach Marcelo Rodríguez, with growing demands for tactical changes. Nicaragua’s slim hopes of advancing now depend on upsets in the remaining matches, but the risk of elimination is imminent if they fail to pick up points soon.
Updated Group C standings (as of October 10, 2025):
(Note: Honduras and Costa Rica have one game in hand.)
The broader consequences include increased enthusiasm for Haitian football, with celebrations erupting in Port-au-Prince despite the national challenges. For Nicaragua, the defeat could affect fan support and funding for the national program, exacerbating its status as the underdog team in CONCACAF.
Haiti’s 3-0 triumph was a masterful display of counterattacking football, turning scarce opportunities into a resounding victory against a Nicaragua team with strong but weak possession.
The third goal in the final minutes demoralized the hosts and underscored Haiti’s growing maturity under pressure. While this result doesn’t guarantee qualification, it positions Haiti as a real contender in Group C, which could set up an exciting battle with Honduras for first place.
For Nicaragua, the match exposed familiar flaws—wasted opportunities and vulnerability to set pieces—that must be urgently addressed to save their qualification dreams. Overall, it reaffirms the unpredictability of CONCACAF, where determination often trumps control in the race for World Cup berths.
