Dick Advocaat leads Curaçao into historic Nations League quarter-finals

Curaçao have reached the Nations League quarter-finals for the first time after completing the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago. Dick Advocaat’s side finished top with 10 points from four matches, having won each of their opening three fixtures.

Trinidad and Tobago took the lead during the first half through Luke Phillip, who converted after a long throw had been helped on. Curaçao responded on the hour mark when Fortuna Düsseldorf forward Jordi Paulina redirected Juninho Bacuna’s mishit effort into the net. Neither side found a winner after that equaliser.

Results elsewhere ensured Curaçao still ended the section in first place. Haiti suffered a 2-0 defeat against Costa Rica but also advanced, finishing one point behind the group winners. Curaçao had failed to progress beyond the group stage in each of the previous four Nations League editions, making this a landmark achievement under Advocaat.

The quarter-final is scheduled for the November international window, with Panama the most likely opponent, although a large Suriname victory could still change the pairing. Victory in the tie would secure direct qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup. The defeated quarter-finalists will instead enter the Gold Cup preliminary round alongside the teams finishing third and fourth in the Nations League groups. The Nations League semi-finals and final will be played in March.