Saint Lucia’s hopes of participating in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup were dashed on Monday, when the senior men’s national team lost 4-1 to Curaçao at the Stadion Ergilio Hato in Willemstad, finishing second in their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) group.
Gervane Kastaneer opened the scoring in the 27th with a half volley from Jearl Margaritha’s cross. Ryan Charles had come on after Saint Lucian captain Terell Thomas exited with a thigh problem. Charles scored in the 29th, almost from the restart after the Curaçao goal, to level proceedings.
But Kastaneer wasted no time in getting his second in the 30th, putting Curaçao back in control, into the half with a one-goal advantage.
It stayed that way until the 73rd minute, Juninho scoring his first of two, then converting again six minutes later to complete the rout.
Despite losing to Saint Martin 3-0 on Monday night, Grenada ended on seven points, third in the group. Like Saint Lucia, they will remain in League B for 2025. Saint Martin, finished last on six points despite that win, and will be relegated to League C for 2025.
After starting their campaign brightly in Group B of League B, with wins in September over higher-ranked Grenada and Curaçao, followed by a third win over Saint Martin, Saint Lucia conceded 12 goals in their last three matches, all three losses, to cede control of the group.
Curaçao finished on 13 points, and Saint Lucia on nine. Curaçao have secured promotion to League A and direct qualification for the Gold Cup.
For Saint Lucia, attention now turns to World Cup Qualifying, where they will again meet Curaçao, as well as Barbados. Curaçao are on top of their five-team group, ahead of Haiti by virtue of goal difference, with Saint Lucia third, and Aruba fourth.
