GUADELOUPE. - A 90th-minute goal from Thierry Ambrose was the difference as Guadeloupe started the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League with a 2-1 victory over Cuba on Thursday at the Stade Rene Serge Nabajoth in Group A of League B.

The win keeps Guadeloupe perfect in CNL after its unbeaten run in the inaugural tournament earned it promotion from League C.

That record appeared to be in danger, however, late in the second half until Ambrose’s late strike.

Guadeloupe was in front in the 15th minute, when a pass from Guadeloupe DF and captain Anthony Baron forced Cuba GK Nelson Johnston off his line, but the ball took a bounce before he reached it and his attempt to clear missed. Guadeloupe FW Gregory Gendrey beat everyone else to the ball and was able to tap into the vacated net.

Cuba looked to respond, beginning with a long shot from DF Jorge Luis Corrales in the 23rd minute that deflected just before it reached goal. FW Luis Paradela almost had Cuba back level with a thunderous free kick in the 28th minute, but it somehow smashed against the inside of the far post and stayed out.

The visitors did get an equalizer in the 74th minute, with FW Maykel Reyes getting his boot up to volley a looping shot past Guadeloupe GK Davy Rouyard.

It appeared things were headed for a draw with time set to expire, only for Guadeloupe FW Matthias Phaeton to get loose to the end line and cut the ball back for Ambrose, who took a touch to get past a sliding defender and then finished for the win.

Cuba now heads home to play its first-ever CNL home match after utilizing a neutral site last tournament, while Guadeloupe travels for a meeting with Antigua and Barbuda.