Havana, December 3 (RHC) – The Cuban women’s national team drew 2-2 with Saint Kitts and Nevis in their opening match of the Concacaf Women’s World Cup qualifiers for Brazil 2027.
The Cubans started the match trailing in the 15th minute of the first half, forcing them to come out determined to mount a comeback in the second half.
Just 53 minutes in, Cecil Aldana leveled the score with a close-range finish, giving the home side a comfortable lead. The Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba erupted in the 71st minute when Aldana converted a penalty to give them the advantage.
The Cuban team played better, both in terms of volume and depth, to the extent that they dominated possession, finishing the match with a 63% to 37% advantage.
However, they couldn’t hold onto their lead after an unfortunate play saw the ball deflect off the back of center-back Sheyla Wanton, who had a good performance throughout the match, and into her own net just minutes before the final whistle.
Elizabeth Cuff’s team continued to try, but without success, and the draw remained, leaving each team with one point in their opening match of Group E.
The Cuban team’s next match in this competition will be on March 1, 2026, at home against Curaçao, followed by an away game against Aruba on March 7.
Their participation will conclude on April 17 in Panama, where they will face the host nation, which may be the toughest opponent in the group.
This tournament grants a single berth to the Concacaf Women’s Championship, to be held in 2026, for which the United States and Canada, the top two teams in the region, have already qualified.
The teams that will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will be determined by the outcome of that event.
