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Havana, October 24 (RHC) – The Cuban team began its participation in the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan with a 1–0 victory over Togo, in a match belonging to Group AB.
The only goal of the match came from Erik David Grotestan, who made the difference, helping Cuba secure its first three points of the tournament. The goalscorer was set up by Mateo Gallina, who delivered an excellent performance.
The clash was defined by a direct style of play, with both teams frequently opting for long balls and physical duels. As a result, the match largely consisted of contested possession and rapid, end-to-end action.
Togo also had chances to score, but the Cuban goalkeeper responded with several key saves, keeping a clean sheet and ensuring Cuba remained in contention.
The side from the island not only defended in an organized manner during periods of pressure, but also created several goal-scoring opportunities.
With this result, Cuba gets off to a strong start in Group AB, which also includes the Czech Republic, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The victory over Togo allows the team to approach its upcoming matches with greater confidence, beginning with the clash against Jamaica.
The 1-0 win leaves the Cuban U-15 national team with positive momentum: they won their debut, kept a clean sheet, and benefited from a decisive goal by Erik David Grotestan. Moving forward, the team will need to improve its efficiency to continue advancing within a challenging group.
