MIAMI, Florida – Honduras rallied to beat Haiti 2-1 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina in the teams’ final match in Group B of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The result, combined with Qatar’s 1-0 victory over Mexico, means neither team will advance from Group B. Both now turn their attention to Concacaf Nations League play, beginning in September, with places in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Final Four and the 2024 Copa America in the United States up for grabs.
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Haiti was ahead 1-0 in the 20th minute thanks to a goal from FW Frantzdy Pierrot. His forward partner, Duckens Nazon, fired in a shot from near the corner of the area and saw it saved by Honduras GK Edrick Menjivar. But the shot-stopper was unable to control the rebound, and Pierrot tapped in from close-range to put Haiti in position to move into the next round.
After Haiti’s opener, it was the Central American team closest to finding the back of the net. Honduras DF Devron Garcia sent a header from a corner kick just over the bar in the 24th minute, and at the half-hour mark FW Jorge Benguche got enough space in the box to turn and fire a shot on target, but Haiti GK Alexandre Pierre dove to his right to stop it.
Honduras kept searching for its opportunity to equalize and it came in the 43rd minute. FW Jerry Bengtson nodded a header to the back post after a cross from DF Maylor Nunez. With the goal, the 36-year-old became Honduras’ oldest-ever Gold Cup scorer.
After the break, Honduras doubled its lead. In the 59th minute, MF Jorge Alvarez scooped a pass over Haiti’s back line that club and country teammate Jose Pinto was able to bring it down with his first touch and finish.
Haiti nearly had a leveler in stoppage time when FW Fafa Picault tried a shot from distance that took a bounce in front of goal and had Menjivar beaten, but the ball hit the post and eventually the goalkeeper was able to collect.
