Nicaragua vs Haiti Match Recap - Oct 10, 2025
Haiti Stuns Hosts Nicaragua in Rout to Solidify World Cup Hopes
By , Washington Post Staff Writer October 10, 2025, at Estadio Nacional de Fútbol, Managua
MANAGUA — On a night when Nicaragua desperately needed a spark, Haiti instead set the Estadio Nacional de Fútbol ablaze. The visitors delivered a clinical, unrelenting performance to thump the hosts 3-0 and take a firm grip on their World Cup qualifying destiny.
From the opening whistle, Haiti played with the urgency of a team that understood the stakes. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute, when veteran striker Duckens Nazon—fresh off a hat trick against Costa Rica—pounced on a defensive lapse to slot a low finish past Nicaraguan goalkeeper Ricardo Mendieta. Nazon’s goal was a thunderbolt of intent, silencing a home crowd that had hoped for a different script. It was also a continuation of his torrid form: three goals in his last two outings for Les Grenadiers.
Nicaragua, shaky in possession and nervy at the back, struggled to compose themselves. Their best spell came in the 20th minute, when a curling shot from distance forced Haiti goalkeeper Josué Duverger into a sprawling save. But the respite was brief. Just past the half-hour mark, Danley Jean Jacques doubled Haiti’s lead with a deft header off a pinpoint set piece, exposing Nicaragua’s vulnerability in the air.
The second half offered little redemption for the hosts. Nicaragua’s attack, led by captain Juan Barrera, huffed and puffed but rarely threatened. Meanwhile, Haiti’s midfield trio of Bryan Labissiere, Carlens Arcus, and Steeven Saba dictated the tempo, suffocating any hint of a Nicaraguan revival.
As the clock ticked toward full time, Louicius Don Deedson—a late substitute—sealed the result in stoppage time, finishing off a swift counterattack to put an exclamation mark on Haiti’s night. There were no red cards, but Nicaragua’s frustration was palpable, culminating in a pair of late bookings for reckless challenges.
Context: A Tale of Two Campaigns
This result did not materialize in a vacuum. Nicaragua, coming off a spirited 1-1 draw with Costa Rica and a narrow loss to Honduras, entered this match with cautious optimism. But their lack of cutting edge—they have scored just once in their last five matches—was laid bare yet again. The home side now stares down the barrel of an uphill battle to remain in contention, with the prospect of back-to-back World Cup cycles ending in the group stage looming large.
Haiti, in contrast, is surging. Their dramatic 3-3 draw with Costa Rica—spearheaded by Nazon’s late heroics—and a gritty stalemate with Honduras showcased a team growing in confidence. Tonight’s victory marks their first clean sheet of the campaign and propels them into the upper echelon of the qualification table. With Nazon in scintillating form, Haiti is suddenly a team opponents will want to avoid.
Current Standings (as of October 10, 2025):
| Team | Points | GD | Last Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiti | 7 | +3 | W 3-0 @ Nicaragua |
| Costa Rica | 5 | +1 | D 3-3 v Haiti |
| Honduras | 4 | 0 | W 2-0 v Nicaragua |
| Nicaragua | 1 | -4 | L 0-3 v Haiti |
Haiti now sits atop the group—ahead of Costa Rica on goal difference—while Nicaragua is rooted at the bottom, searching for answers.
Head-to-Head and Historical Significance
Historically, these teams have been closely matched; their last five meetings produced two wins apiece and a draw. But tonight, Haiti imposed their will. The 3-0 margin is the largest in this fixture in over a decade, and it sends a clear message: Les Grenadiers are not content to be also-rans in CONCACAF.
What’s Next?
For Haiti, the path forward is clear: maintain momentum and avoid complacency. Their next fixture, a home clash with Honduras, offers a chance to consolidate their position at the summit. Nazon’s leadership and the team’s newfound defensive resolve will be crucial as the qualifying gauntlet tightens.
Nicaragua, meanwhile, faces a reckoning. With a trip to Costa Rica looming, a response is non-negotiable. Head coach Marco Antonio Figueroa must find a way to inject creativity into a stagnant attack and shore up a defense that has conceded seven goals in three matches.
Tonight’s result may not be decisive in the grand scheme, but it has reshaped the narrative of this World Cup cycle. Haiti has announced itself as a genuine contender, while Nicaragua’s dreams are hanging by a thread. In the unforgiving arena of CONCACAF qualifying, there’s little room for sentiment—and even less for missed opportunities.