After winning their playoff matches on Wednesday in New Zealand, Haiti and Portugal became the first two teams to advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
Melchie Dumornay scored twice to ensure that 55th-ranked Haiti will return to the southern hemisphere in July to play in Group D of the Women’s World Cup alongside England, China, and Denmark.
Carole Costa scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over the Cameroon “Lionesses,” who have reached the round of 16 at the previous two World Cups.
The World Cup’s final three spots will be decided in this 10-team intercontinental playoff in New Zealand between Haiti and Portugal.
Thursday’s 32-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July and August, will feature a matchup between Paraguay and Panama for the final spot.
Dumornay, a Haitian, recently signed with Lyon, a team that has won the Champions League seven times, and he demonstrated why with two pieces of slick finishing.
In the final minute of the first half, she won the race to a through ball from Roselord Borgella, giving Haiti a 1-0 lead at halftime.
After Chile captain Christiane Endler saved Nerilia Mondesir’s attempt from the penalty spot, Dumornay appeared to have saved the game in the eighth of 11 minutes of added time.
