MIAMI. - Dorny Romero scored a hat-trick to help earn the Dominican Republic its third victory in Group B of League B as the 2023–24 Concacaf Nations League continued on Monday.

French Guiana overtook the top spot in Group C with a victory against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, while Nicaragua held its footing at the top of Group B with a victory over Montserrat.

French Guiana vs. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 

French Guiana won 3-2 against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Pierre-Aliker Stadium in Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Thomas Nemouthe opened the scoring in the 9’ with a right-footed shot from the penalty spot. The hosts were awarded a penalty kick following a tackle on forward Arnold Abelinti.

Cornelius Stewart equalized in the 16’ after an intercepted ball made for a breakaway opportunity. Oalex Anderson provided the assist across the box for Stewart to tie the game.

Franz Gaubert retook the lead for the home side in the 44’ off a free kick opportunity.

Gaubert gave up a penalty after a tackle on Anderson to start the second half. Anderson took the spot kick but was denied by Marvin Golitin.

Stewart tied it again for the visitors in the 73’ as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were in transition.

Jules Haabo delivered the game-winning goal in the 76’ on a takeaway in midfield that he then drove into the penalty area for a diagonal strike to the bottom left corner of goal.

 

Dominican Republic vs. Barbados

The Dominican Republic took a 5-2 victory over Barbados at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

Thierry Gale found the back of the net in the 10’ to put Barbados up from the penalty spot. The spot kick was conceded on the previous play as goalkeeper Xavier Valdez was attempting to secure the ball but tripped Codrington Shane.

Riki Alba equalized for the home side in the 17’ off an individual play from the right side of goal as he battled through three defenders and the goalkeeper.

Romero continued his goalscoring form with a header in the 30’ as the Dominican Republic took the lead for the first time on the night with a corner kick.

Romero secured his second goal of the night in the 48’ with another header inside the penalty area. Angel Melo provided the cross from the right flank for Romero’s double.

Heinz Morschel extended the lead in the 59’ with a right-footed strike inside the box.

Gale took one back for the visitors in the 66’ to complete his brace. The opportunity came from a second conceded penalty kick by the Dominican Republic.

Romero struck with a third header in the 79’, this time from a corner kick. It marks six goals in the tournament for Romero and puts him in the lead in the Golden Boot race.

 

Nicaragua vs. Montserrat

Nicaragua defeated Montserrat 3-0 at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua to remain atop Group B with 12 points.

Montserrat’s Lucas Kirnon came up with a header in the 4’ to impede an early goal from the home side. 

James Comley was ambitious from long range in the 28’ in what was the best opportunity in the first half for the visiting team.

Juan Luis Perez broke through with the opening goal in the 38’ on a free-kick opportunity. Defender Abraham Jeriel Dorsett tried to clear, but Perez got the header on the rebound.

Luis Coronel extended the lead in the 43’ with a hit from around the penalty marker. Bancy Hernandez supplied the assist inside the box to find his open teammate.

Matias Moldskred came on for the second half and immediately paid dividends with a third Nicaragua goal in the 48’. Goalkeeper Corrin Brooks tried to push the ball away from goal in the pouring rain to no avail.

From there, the Nicaraguan defense did the rest to nail down the clean sheet victory.