Haiti hurt: Peruvians poop party in World Cup send-off

At Nu Stadium in Miami, Haiti took an early lead in Friday night’s friendly - before paying dearly for late lapses, as Peru capitalized twice on corner kicks.

This marked the Haitians’ final tuneup ahead of the World Cup: their first appearance at the finals since 1974. The Caribbean nation’s tournament opener comes June 13 against Scotland on matchday one of Group C, a section that also includes Brazil and Morocco.

Peru, meanwhile, did not qualify for the World Cup and is in the midst of a rebuild; it will serve as a sparring partner for Spain on June 8 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla.

How Haiti vs Peru unfolded:

In the first half in Florida, Haiti showed maturity. Without dominating possession, it understood its role and waited patiently for counterattacking opportunities. Peru controlled the ball, but struggled to find space or create danger, failing to connect with striker Jhonny Vidales.

Haiti buried its first real chance. Applying intense pressure to Peru’s build-up, Louicius Deedson won the ball just outside the box and slipped a precise through pass to Wilson Isidor, who simply had to tap it home for a 1-0 lead. After the goal, Haiti’s back line held firm, snuffing out the Andean side’s attempts.

The second half followed the same script: Haiti pressing on the break and squandering chances to put the game away, while a nervy Peruvian defense looked shaky. However, a series of tactical changes on the Haitian side ultimately proved costly.

Quick turnaround

In the 80th minute, Peru found the equalizer. After a cross into the box and a powerful header, goalkeeper Johny Placide spilled a rebound in the six-yard area; Renzo Garcés pounced on the loose ball less than a yard from goal and pushed it over the line for 1-1.

Less than five minutes later, Peru completed the comeback. Following another corner, the ball bounced loose inside the area and Jairo Vélez unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike that beat Placide to make it 2-1 for good.

It was a bitter send-off for Haiti heading into the World Cup. Despite entering the match in good form after a 4-0 rout of New Zealand, the late collapse leaves lingering doubts ahead of their return to the tournament after a 52-year absence.

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Haití

• 1 Placide
• 4 Ricardo Adé (59')
• 2 Carlens Arcus (59')
• 5 Delcroix
• 8 Martin Expérience (59')
• 17 Danley Jean Jacques (84')
• 11 Louicius Deedson (59')
• 10 Jeanricner Bellegarde
• 15 Ruben Providence (59')
• 20 Frantzdy Pierrot (60')
• 18 Wilson Isidor (59')
• Substitutes
• 23 Josué Duverger
• 14 Leverton Pierre
• 7 Derrick Etienne (84')
• 12 Alexandre Pierre
• 3 Keeto Thermoncy
• 9 Nazon (60')
• 6 Carl Sainté
• 25 Dominique Simon (59')
• 22 Jean-Kevin Duverne (59')
• 19 Yassin Fortune
• 24 Wilguens Paugain (59')
• 21 Josué Casimir (59')
• 13 Duke Lacroix (59')
• 16 Lenny Joseph (59')
• 26 Woodensky Pierre

Peru

• Pedro Gallese
• Renzo Garcés
• Alfonso Barco (45')
• Oliver Sonne
• Marcos Johan Lopez (89')
• André Carrillo (58')
• Jairo Vélez (89')
• Jairo Concha (58')
• Erick Noriega (69')
• Kenji Cabrera (45')
• Johnny Vidales (69')
• Substitutes
• Matías Lazo
• Marco Huamán
• Fabio Gruber (45')
• Matías Zegarra (89')
• Rodrigo Vilca (89')
• Bassco Soyer
• Alejandro Duarte
• Adrián Quiróz (58')
• Maxloren Castro (69')
• Matías Córdova
• Yoshimar Yotún (58')
• Adrián Ugarriza (45')
• 16 Jesús Pretel (69')

Substitutions

Fabio Gruber (45', Alfonso Barco), Adrián Ugarriza (45', Kenji Cabrera), Yoshimar Yotún (58', Jairo Concha), Adrián Quiróz (58', André Carrillo), Jean-Kévin Duverne (59', Ricardo Adé), Wilguens Paugain (59', Carlens Arcus), Josué Casimir (59', Louicius Deedson), Dominique Simon (59', Wilson Isidor), Lenny Joseph (59', Ruben Providence), Duke Lacroix (59', Martin Expérience), Duckens Nazon (60', Frantzdy Pierrot), Jesús Pretell (69', Erick Noriega), Maxloren Castro (69', Jhonny Vidales), Derrick Etienne (84', Danley Jean Jacques), Rodrigo Vilca (89', Jairo Vélez), Matías Zegarra (89', Marcos López)

Goals

1-0, 15': Wilson Isidor, 1-1, 80': Renzo Garcés, 1-2, 83': Jairo Vélez

Cards

Referee: Filip Dujic
Alfonso Barco (44',Yellow), André Carrillo (53',Yellow), Erick Noriega (64',Yellow), Wilguens Paugain (73',Yellow), Adrián Ugarriza (78',Yellow)