Haiti’s discipline shines through red card drama in 1-0 win over Chile | ANALYSIS

On Friday night, Les Grenadières were missing key players, including captain Nérilia Mondésir, for a warm-up game against Chile at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago. Despite receiving a red card in the 41st minute, the Haitian women showed remarkable solidarity, courage and tactical discipline to maintain their 1-0 lead. Demonstrating such composure with one player down is a quality only the world’s top teams can sustain over a full 90 minutes, and Haiti executed it nearly to perfection after left-back Kethna Louis was sent off for a reckless foul.

Melchie Durmornay was in full form for the Haitian national team, scoring the match’s only goal through a penalty kick in the 17th minute, delighting thousands of festive Haitians at the stadium. During an early offensive by Les Grenadières, Dumornay intercepted a pass in the heart of Chile’s defense in the 16th minute, then cleverly played the ball back to forward Batcheba Louis and moved forward. Batcheba Louis then found Durmonay again in the box. A Chilean defender ultimately fouled the Olympique Lyonnais star, drawing the penalty kick. 

Haiti was tactically disciplined from the start, staying organized in both defense and midfield. Right midfielder Sherly Jeudy, left midfielder Roseline Éloissaint and forward Batcheba Louis consistently tracked back to defend, even before the red card. The central midfielders kept the center of the pitch tight, limiting Chile’s ability to advance.

Offense clearly wasn’t Haiti’s priority, with the team starting in a 4-4-1 formation and focusing on staying compact. The strategy appeared to be forcing Chile into mistakes — and if that was Coach Malou Quignette’s plan, Haiti executed it to perfection.

Demonstrating such tactical discipline, particularly after receiving a red card, is a quality that only the world’s top teams can maintain for a full 90 minutes. Les Grenadières achieved this not against an average team but against Chile, ranked 39th in the world. Even though it was a friendly match, Haiti’s discipline was commendable.

Playing dirty

The 2023 World Cup participants also showed a highly amateurish flaw: They sometimes played rough. Éloissaint pulled an opponent’s hair in the 23rd minute, and four minutes later, Kethna Louis pushed a Chilean player. Both received yellow cards for unnecessary fouls.

Later, in the 41st minute, despite already being on a yellow card, Louis slide-tackled an opponent near the touchline — a completely unnecessary move, as Chile was not close to a scoring opportunity. The referee rightfully ejected her.

Just three minutes later, center-back Claire Constant yanked an opposing player’s jersey and was shown a yellow card. In just one half, Haiti accumulated four yellow cards and one red card. It remains unclear what prompted the players to commit so many hard fouls in the first half; perhaps they were retaliating.

Haiti defeated Chile 2-1 in February 2023 to qualify for the last World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, so the two teams share a notable history.

Haiti played much cleaner in the second half and received no more cards. However, the defenders often dribbled out of the back and made dangerous passes — another sign of poor discipline.

Until Chelsea Domond replaced her in the second half, Batcheba Louis was the lone striker in the 4-4-1 formation. She appeared uneasy and moved too slowly up top. Dumornay occupied central midfield but supported Louis in attack when needed and also dropped back to defend, especially after Haiti was reduced to ten players.

Although her performance was average by her standards, Dumornay was a crucial component of Haiti’s tactical masterclass on Friday. The Mirebalais native is known for her scoring, assisting ability, and tactical intelligence, and she showed her high soccer IQ again.

The quick combination play — the one-two between Dumornay and Louis — was missing on Friday night. Haiti played a tremendous game tactically and defensively, but offensively, the team was not at its best. That was true even before the red card. The attacking third failed to produce enough captivating plays, perhaps by design, especially since they fielded only one forward.

Moreover, captain Melchie Dumornay’s usual connection with Mondesir was absent, as Mondesir, the team’s Number 10, did not dress due to injury. Her absence was clearly felt.

Standouts: Domond and Pietrus

Substitute Chelsea Domond added much-needed attacking flair after entering in the 63rd minute. The 25-year-old was explosive yet composed, showing sharp decision-making as she led counterattacks down the field.

Another standout was goalkeeper Kaïna V. Cesar Pietrus. Although only 19, Pietrus stayed calm and confident throughout the match. She made four saves, came off her line when needed, and distributed the ball effectively under pressure.

After the final whistle, Haitian players rushed to congratulate the teenager, while fans in the stands cheered, jumped and waved flags.

A video clip captured the atmosphere at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago, Chile, on April 4, 2025. (Video credit: Gesny Pierre-Louis via Facebook.)

Haiti and Chile will meet again March 8 at Complejo Juan Pinto Durán in Macul, Chile, at 10 a.m. EST. It will be their third meeting, and if Haiti wins again, it would mark their third consecutive victory over the South American side.

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