In a thrilling encounter at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex in Christiansted, St. Croix, the British Virgin Islands’ senior men’s team fought tooth and nail to secure a crucial 1-1 draw against their counterparts, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Friday.
The match remained deadlocked in a stalemate during the first half, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock. However, the tension escalated in the second half when the hosts, USVI, broke the silence with a right-footed strike from Jett Blaschka in the 73rd minute, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
Yet, the British Virgin Islands team refused to surrender. With their eyes set on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they persisted in their attack, knowing that every opportunity counted. Their relentless efforts paid off in the dying moments of the game when BVI striker Hugo Liziario seized a golden opportunity, finding the back of the net in the 98th minute of stoppage time, stunning the home crowd and securing a vital equalizer for his team.
As the dust settles on the first leg, all attention now shifts to the A. O Shirley Recreation Ground on Tortola, where the stage is set for the second leg of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday, March 26. For the British Virgin Islands team, it is a must-win situation, with their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the qualifiers hanging in the balance.
However, thanks to Liziario’s dramatic late goal on USVI soil, the British Virgin Islands team also knows that a 0-0 draw in the second leg would see them through to the next round—a lifeline that adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to what promises to be a thrilling encounter on home turf.