Haiti delivered a statement performance on Tuesday night, defeating New Zealand 4-0 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as Les Grenadiers continue preparations for their historic return to the FIFA World Cup.
Backed by thousands of passionate supporters from South Florida’s Haitian community, Haiti controlled the match from start to finish in what was one of the team’s most complete performances in recent years. The atmosphere inside Chase Stadium felt more like a home match than a neutral-site friendly, with Haitian flags waving throughout the stands and fans creating an electric environment from kickoff to the final whistle.
The victory comes just days before Haiti’s final World Cup preparation match against Peru and provides a major confidence boost ahead of the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1974.
Haiti opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Ruben Providence finished off a quick attacking sequence to give Les Grenadiers an early advantage. The goal energized both the players and the crowd as Haiti continued to press forward and dictate the pace of the match.
After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, Haiti returned to the field with even greater intensity. Substitute Lenny Joseph made an immediate impact in the 51st minute, calmly finishing a through ball to double Haiti’s lead.
The pressure continued just over ten minutes later when veteran striker Frantzdy Pierrot found the back of the net with a powerful header in the 62nd minute. The goal highlighted Haiti’s attacking depth and further exposed New Zealand’s defensive struggles throughout the evening.
The final goal came in spectacular fashion in the 87th minute when Duke (Markhus) Lacroix unleashed a long-range strike that sailed past the goalkeeper and into the net, sending the Haitian supporters into celebration mode and putting the finishing touches on a dominant 4-0 victory.
Head coach Sébastien Migné’s squad displayed discipline, organization, and efficiency throughout the match, excelling on both sides of the ball. Haiti’s defensive unit limited New Zealand’s opportunities while the attack consistently created dangerous chances.
For many supporters, the victory represented more than a successful friendly. It was another sign of the progress Haiti has made on its journey back to the world stage after a 52-year absence from the World Cup.
Les Grenadiers will now turn their attention to Friday’s friendly against Peru before opening their World Cup campaign on June 13 against Scotland in Group C, which also features Brazil and Morocco.
If Tuesday night’s performance is any indication, Haiti enters the tournament with growing confidence and the belief that it can compete with some of the world’s best teams.
With momentum building and support from Haitians around the world stronger than ever, Les Grenadiers are showing they may be ready to make noise on football’s biggest stage.
