Cuba overcomes first leg Play-In deficit to beat Sugar Boyz

The 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League continued with a second-leg match in the Play-In round on Monday.

Cuba overturned its 2-1 first-leg defeat with a 4-0 second-leg victory to win its series against Saint Kitts and Nevis and advance to the Gold Cup Prelims.

Cuba met the Sugar Boyz in the second leg of their Play-In series at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Onel Hernández scored in the 40′, dribbling through the left side before cutting inside to strike from the top of the penalty area, tying the series on aggregate at two goals apiece.

Yosel Piedra extended the lead for the hosts in the 45’+3, striking in front of the penalty marker to place Cuba in the lead on aggregate.

Luis Paradela, the lone Cuba scorer in the first leg, struck for a second consecutive match in the 50′ by striking inside the penalty area after playing off Yasnier Matos.

Maykel Reyes converted a penalty kick in the 87′ to further the lead and put a bow on the victory.

Cuba won the series 5-2 on aggregate and will now advance to the Gold Cup Prelims. The nation is continuing its hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

(Concacaf)