As preparation for the final round of 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Brazil continues, Haiti’s women’s national football team, the Grenadières, claimed a hard-fought 2-1 friendly victory over New Zealand’s Ford Football Ferns at Spain’s El Mauli Stadium in Antequera, Malaga Province, on June 5, 2026. Ranked 47th globally, the side put in a disciplined, organized performance that perfectly executed the game plan drawn up by their veteran Swedish head coach Pia Sundhage, building on a dominant 4-0 win over the same opponent just three days prior.
Ahead of the match, the squad received a major boost with the return of star midfielder Melchie Daëlle Dumornay, widely known by her nickname “Corventina”, who had missed the team’s previous training camp. The fixture also marked a milestone for young Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Océane Toussaint, who earned her first start in the national team’s starting eleven.
Haiti’s starting lineup featured a mix of experienced talent and rising young players plying their trade across top European and American clubs. Alongside Toussaint in goal, the defensive line included Kethna Louis of Montpellier Hérault SC, Jennyfer Limage of RC Lens, Tabita Dougenie Joseph of Olympique de Marseille, and Claire Constant of DC Power FC. Sherly Jeudy joined Dumornay in the midfield, while the attacking unit was led by captain Nerilia Mondesir of Seattle Reign FC, Darlina Florsie L. Joseph of Toulouse FC, Roseline Eloissaint of FC Nantes, and Lourdjina Etienne of FC Fleury.
New Zealand got on the scoreboard first in the 41st minute, when Michaela Foster swung a long-range free kick into the Haitian penalty area. New Zealand defender Claudia Bunge rose above the defense to plant an unstoppable header past Toussaint, putting the Football Ferns up 1-0 going into halftime.
Haiti responded quickly after the opening goal, forcing New Zealand goalkeeper Alina Santos into a critical save just minutes after Bunge’s strike. The Grenadières kept up relentless pressure through the closing stages of the first half, and found their equalizer deep into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+3rd minute, Mondesir converted a well-placed free kick from the right touchline to level the score at 1-1, sending the sides into the break all square.
Just two minutes into the second half, Haiti grabbed the lead for good. Dumornay, who had already set up one scoring opportunity earlier in the match, orchestrated a quick attacking move that outpaced New Zealand’s backline, playing a perfectly weighted through ball to Etienne. The FC Fleury forward calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Santos to put Haiti up 2-1, a scoreline that would hold until the final whistle.
From that point, Haiti took control of the game’s tempo, absorbing New Zealand pressure and protecting their narrow lead. The Football Ferns struggled to generate clear scoring chances for most of the second half, and their few late attacking attempts were all turned away by Toussaint and the Haitian defense.
The win marks another positive milestone for the Grenadières as they gear up for the 2027 Women’s World Cup final qualifying phase, which will run from June 24 to July 25 next year in Brazil. The side is set to continue their warm-up campaign with another friendly against Equatorial Guinea, nicknamed the Nzalang (meaning “lightning” in a Bantu language), on June 8 at Juventus Stadium in Torremolinos, Malaga Province, with kickoff scheduled for noon local time in Haiti.