Lambe’s farewell match off to a tough start
Bermuda trail Curacao 2-0 at half-time in their crucial Concacaf World Cup 26 Qualifier at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. The match, which is the final home international fixture for Bermudian legend Reggie Lambe, saw Curacao assert control with two first-half goals and dominate possession.
The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers will determine the region’s remaining participants in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The game began with controversy and an early setback for the home side, as Curacao took the lead in the 6th minute after Bermuda fell victim to the VAR System. The referee was called to the touchline to review a possible handball in the box and subsequently awarded a penalty, which was calmly slotted home by Leandro Bacuna.
The lead was doubled in the 32nd minute when Juninho Bacuna blasted a shot past a diving Dale Eve.
Goalkeeper Dale Eve kept the score respectable for Bermuda with a string of three amazing saves, preventing Curacao from increasing their lead further before the break.
The statistics reflect Curacao’s strong control over the opening 45 minutes:
Curacao maintained 66.8% of the possession, compared to Bermuda’s 33.2%.
Curacao also had the advantage in set-pieces, earning four corners to Bermuda’s two.
Bermuda now face a tough task in the second half, needing to find a way to break down the Curacao defence and secure a goal for their retiring captain.
