Bellegarde’s early strike and a Costa Rican own goal gave the Grenadiers a commanding halftime lead in Kingston.
By Haitian Tribune Staff | September 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Haiti defeated Costa Rica 2-0 on Sunday night at Sabina Park, earning its second victory in as many matches in the 2026–27 Concacaf Nations League. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and pressure from Fabrice Picault led to a Francisco Calvo own goal in the 39th. The Grenadiers protected their lead through a scoreless second half.
Costa Rica had an early opportunity through Josimar Méndez, but Haiti struck on its first significant attack. Bellegarde drove a low right-footed shot through the Costa Rican defense and past goalkeeper Abraham Madriz. Costa Rica sought a response, yet Haiti goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre preserved the lead when Orlando Sinclair found a shooting opportunity.
Haiti doubled its advantage before the break when Picault’s shot deflected off Calvo and into the net. Concacaf credited the 39th-minute goal as an own goal by the Costa Rican defender. Costa Rica coach Fernando Batista made two halftime substitutions, bringing on Gerson Torres and Douglas López, but his side could not find a way back.
The result adds to a difficult week for Costa Rica, which had surrendered a three-goal lead in a 4-3 home loss to Curaçao on Thursday. Haiti, meanwhile, has taken the maximum six points from its first two Group A matches. Curaçao and the Dominican Republic also won their opening two games, leaving three teams level on points in the race for the group’s two quarterfinal places. Concacaf reported that Curaçao beat Nicaragua 6-1 on Sunday, while the Dominican Republic defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.
Haiti’s next test comes Thursday, October 1, away to the Dominican Republic. Costa Rica travels to Nicaragua the same day before hosting Haiti on October 4. Each team plays four group matches, and only the top two finishers advance to the Nations League quarterfinals.
For the Grenadiers, Sunday’s victory was another strong result against Costa Rica after their 1-0 win in World Cup qualifying last November. It also puts Haiti in a promising position halfway through a short group campaign, with its next match against an equally unbeaten Caribbean rival.
