Haiti 2-0 Costa Rica at the CONCACAF Nations League on September 28, 2026, was more than just a home win. It was a statement performance from Les Grenadiers, who combined disciplined defending with ruthless counter-attacking to hand Costa Rica a damaging defeat. Two well-taken goals and a clean sheet gave Haiti three valuable points in a competition where every result can reshape the group table.

Match Facts

• Final score: Haiti 2-0 Costa Rica
• Competition: CONCACAF Nations League
• Date: September 28, 2026
• Kick-off: 07:00
• Haiti goals: Frantzdy Pierrot 23', Duckens Nazon 78'
• Costa Rica goals: None

From the opening whistle, Haiti looked compact, energetic, and ready to punish any mistake. Costa Rica had more of the ball in the first half, but possession without penetration became the story of their night. Haiti sat in a disciplined mid-block, invited pressure, and then exploded forward through the wide areas. The approach worked perfectly in the 23rd minute when Derrick Etienne Jr. found space on the left and delivered a curling cross that Frantzdy Pierrot met with a powerful header. The stadium erupted as Haiti took a 1-0 lead.

Key Moments

• 23rd minute – Haiti 1-0: Frantzdy Pierrot rose above the Costa Rican defense to head home Derrick Etienne Jr.'s cross. It was the kind of goal that rewarded Haiti's early pressing and direct wing play.
• 34th minute – Navas saves Haiti's second: Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas produced a sharp reflex save to deny Etienne from close range, keeping Los Ticos within one goal at halftime.
• 51st minute – Ugalde goes close: Manfred Ugalde found a pocket of space at the edge of the box and curled a shot just wide, a rare moment of clarity for Costa Rica's attack.
• 63rd minute – Placide stands tall: Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide made a crucial save from Josimar Alcócer, preserving the lead when Costa Rica finally began to sustain pressure.
• 78th minute – Haiti 2-0: Duckens Nazon sealed the match on the counter, racing onto a through ball and slotting a low finish past Navas. The goal capped a clinical team move and effectively ended Costa Rica's resistance.
• 86th minute – Costa Rica down to 10: Francisco Calvo, already on a yellow card, was shown a second after a late challenge, summing up a frustrating night for the visitors.

Tactical Story

Haiti set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that became a 4-4-2 out of possession. The midfield duo of Danley Jean Jacques and Leverton Pierre screened the back four effectively, forcing Costa Rica's creative players to drift wide or drop deep. That allowed Haiti's full-backs to stay aggressive in wide areas and launch quick transitions. Whenever Costa Rica lost the ball in central areas, Haiti looked to play forward immediately, either through Pierrot's hold-up play or into the channels for Etienne and Nazon.

Costa Rica, by contrast, struggled to turn their possession into clear chances. Their 4-3-3 shape often left Ugalde isolated against Haiti's center-backs, while the wide forwards found little room to run into. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half improved their tempo, but Haiti's defensive organization held firm. The home side's ability to defend their box and then break at speed was the defining tactical battle of the match.

Standout Players

• Frantzdy Pierrot (Haiti): The focal point of Haiti's attack, he scored the opener and consistently brought teammates into play with his back to goal.
• Derrick Etienne Jr. (Haiti): A constant threat on the left, he provided the assist for the first goal and forced Navas into a fine save.
• Johny Placide (Haiti): The goalkeeper delivered a composed, clean-sheet performance, with his 63rd-minute save proving decisive.
• Duckens Nazon (Haiti): Coming off the bench, he added energy and scored the goal that put the result beyond doubt.
• Keylor Navas (Costa Rica): Despite conceding twice, the veteran goalkeeper made several important stops and kept Costa Rica in the match until the closing stages.

What It Means in the CONCACAF Nations League

The 2-0 victory gives Haiti a major boost in the CONCACAF Nations League standings. Three points against a regional heavyweight like Costa Rica can be pivotal, especially in a format where goal difference and head-to-head results often decide who advances or avoids relegation. Haiti's players and coaching staff will take confidence from the clean sheet as much as the goals, because defensive solidity has often be