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• Curacao secure League A promotion, Gold Cup berth after 4-1 win over St Lucia in Group B

  Curacao secured promotion to League A and direct qualification for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup after they topped Group B of League B in the Concacaf Nations League action on Monday. 

  The Dutch-speaking Caribbean Island bettered St Lucia 4-1 in their top-of-the-table clash at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao.

  Gervane Kastaneer opened the scoring in the 27th with a tidy finish on the volley as he connected well from Jearl Margaritha’s weighted cross.

  St Lucia pulled level in the 29th courtesy of Ryan Charles, who won possession at the top of the penalty area and finished at close range.

  However, Kastaneer grabbed his brace to put Curacao back on top as he produced another decent close range finish to make it 2-1 at the break.

  Any hopes St Lucia had of a comeback were dashed in the 73rd when Juninho Bacuna displayed nippy footwork to dismiss markers and slot home.

  Bacuna then completed his brace and Curacao’s rout when he fired home in the 79th to secure their promotion to League A and, by extension, a berth in the Gold Cup.

  They topped the group with 13 points, four more than St Lucia (nine points), while Grenada, who were 3-0 winners over St Martin in the other group contest, ended on seven points.

  Rahim Dennis (39th) and Keelan Lebon (87th and 90+3) sealed Grenada’s win against St Martin to ensure they stay up in League B for another edition.

  By virtue of that loss, St Martin, who finished last on the four-team standings on six points, have been relegated to League C for the next edition of the Nations League.

• Croatia 1-1 Portugal: Gvardiol earns draw as hosts advance in Nations League

  Croatia joined Portugal in the quarter-finals of the Nations League after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Split on Monday.

  Josko Gvardiol equalised in the 65th minute after Joao Felix had put Portugal – already assured of top spot – ahead in the first half at Stadion Poljud.

  That goal ensured Croatia finished a point better off than Scotland in Group A1 after they earned a late 2-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw.

  In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix stepped up by taking Vitinha's pass in his stride and calmly firing past Dominik Livakovic in the 33rd minute – the goal allowed to stand after a VAR check for offside.

  Andrej Kramaric blasted an effort back off the crossbar and Gvardiol had a goal disallowed for offside either side of the interval as Croatia pressed for a leveller.

  Gvardiol found the net again soon after, though, and this time it was allowed to stand as he got on the end of Kristijan Jakic's delivery at the back post.

  Livakovic and Jose Sa produced fine saves to deny Nuno Mendes and Ante Budimir, who also hit the outside of the post, but neither side could find a winning goal.

  Data Debrief: Gvardiol scores again against blunt visitors

  Roberto Martinez opted to release Ronaldo, Silva, Pedro Neto and the suspended Fernandes back to their clubs before this game and Portugal lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

  Joao Felix took his chance very well, scoring his one goal from an expected goals (xG) value of 0.58 across the 90 minutes, but the visitors were unable to find the net from any of their other 11 attempts.

  Croatia's attackers were also frustrated by a mixture of the frame of the goal and Sa, but in-form defender Gvardiol was the hero as he netted for the fourth time this season already for club and country.

• Olympians Campbell, Pinnock and Ricketts, express gratitude and optimism following JOA Olympic Salute

  Jamaican Olympians Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock, and Shanieka Ricketts have expressed heartfelt gratitude and renewed determination after being celebrated at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Olympic Salute, held at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday night. The event not only honoured their historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics but also unveiled plans that promise to make their Olympic journeys smoother in the future.

  Campbell, who made history as Jamaica’s first Olympic medalist in the shot put with a bronze-medal throw of 22.15m, received JMD$1 million for his remarkable feat. He described the evening as a pivotal moment that brought closure to his Olympic experience.

  “Last night (Saturday) was special. I definitely feel like now that the ceremony has taken place, I can say the Olympic experience is now complete,” Campbell said.

  “The plans for the next four years motivate me to get back into it and prepare with the relaxation that I won’t be fighting an uphill battle like I have been for the past couple of years. A lot of athletes like myself will benefit from the adjustments, preparations, and plans from the JOA. It’s definitely a tremendous feeling, and I appreciated the experience, the love, support, and what the JOA has done.”

  

  Pinnock, who claimed silver in the long jump, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of being recognized not just as an Olympian but as a medalist.

  “Last night (Saturday) at the Olympic Salute was an honour beyond words. Being a part of this incredible celebration, as both an Olympian and a medalist, is a moment I will cherish forever,” Pinnock said on Instagram.

  “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, my coach Travis (Geopfert), my agent Henry Rolle, and my PR manager Khimani Clarke, all of whom have been integral to my success.” Pinnock was awarded JMD$1.5 million for his stellar performance in Paris.

  For Ricketts, who also won silver in the triple jump and became the first Jamaican woman to medal in the event at the Olympics, the recognition was particularly meaningful as her family was there to share in the moment.

  “I had a fabulous time at the JOA Olympic Salute last night. It was truly heartwarming to be honored at home, especially with my family present to share the experience,” she said. Like Pinnock, Ricketts was awarded JMD$1.5 million for her achievement.

  The evening was not only a celebration of their successes but also a launch pad for future growth. JOA Secretary General Ryan Foster announced a JMD$250 million investment plan for the next Olympic cycle, which includes funding for athlete scholarships, equipment grants, coaching development, and travel support.

  For the Olympians, the acknowledgment and the unveiled initiatives were affirmations of their hard work and dedication. With the financial and structural support promised for the future, Campbell, Pinnock, and Ricketts expressed optimism about what lies ahead, motivated to continue pushing boundaries and making Jamaica proud on the world stage.