Curaçao also won the second World Cup qualifier on Monday night. In Guatemala, the team of national coach Guus Hiddink was 1-2 too strong for Cuba, leading the group with six points after two games. The goals were scored in the first half and were credited to Leandro Bacuna and Charlison Benschop.
After beating Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5-0 last week, Curaçao was too strong for Cuba in the second group game. It took eleven minutes for Bacuna to sign for the opening goal. The Cardiff City forward came face to face with Cuban goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez and finished in a controlled manner. After half an hour of play, Cuba tied the score. Onel Hernández took advantage of Curaçao’s sloppy ball loss in midfield and entered the penalty area, after which he hit the far intersection from a difficult angle.
???? 1-2 ???? Guus Hiddink’s Curaçao make it two from two with a tough win over Cuba pic.twitter.com/BAi1ex5p3H
– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 28, 2021
Curaçao was the better team in Havana, although Cuba got opportunities every now and then. In the end it was Apollon Limasol striker Benschop, ex-attacker of RKC Waalwijk, AZ and FC Groningen, among others, who scored for the final score in the first half. On a pass from SC Cambuur winger Jarchinio Antonio from the right flank, he hit from close range. The best chances were still for Hiddink’s team in the second half, but there were no more goals.
The road to the World Cup is still a long time for Curaçao. The group winners will qualify for the next round, which will be played against one of the other five group winners. If this round is also survived, a final round will follow. This includes duels with top countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States. The best three countries qualify directly for the World Cup, the number four ends up in the play-offs. On June 5, Curaçao comes into action again when Hiddink’s team visits the British Virgin Islands. Three days later, the home game against Guatemala is scheduled.