Puerto Rico secures spot in round two thanks to stoppage time goal on the final kick of the match.
After 2 hard-fought wins against Cayman and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Lady Warriors stood at the top of the leaderboard with a berth in the final round of World Cup qualifying seemingly within their grasp. But to secure their spot, they would have to overcome their biggest test of the tournament so far – Puerto Rico.
Despite wins over St Vincent and the Grenadines and Cayman on Wednesday the hosts slipped to second place on goal difference.
Buoyed by an unabashedly partisan crowd, on Friday, Las Boricuas dominated proceedings from the opening whistle. And in the 33rd minute they were rewarded for their efforts when a left-footed shot by Gabriella Garnett from the upper side of the box found the back of the net.
But, in what had become their MO this tournament, in the second half the Lady Gombey Warriors once again found an extra gear. And in the 60th minute Team Bermuda drew level with the hosts thanks to a right-footed shot from outside the area by Evans Welch.
Tied at one all, with seconds remaining in the 5th minute of stoppage time, Puerto Rico’s Mía Colon pushed a loose ball into the net, breaking the deadlock and Team Bermuda’s hearts in the process.
Group winners Puerto Rico, Honduras, Panama, and El Salvador all advance to the final round of World Cup qualifying in Mexico.
