Oranjestad, Aruba — The Aruba U-15 women’s football team has made history by winning their first-ever international championship at the CONCACAF U-15 Women’s Tournament. In a thrilling final match held on home soil, the Aruban team triumphed 2-1 over St. Lucia, securing a historic victory that has brought immense pride to the island nation.

The final match, held under the blazing sun at 11 AM, saw Aruba facing off against a strong St. Lucia side. The road to the final was intense, with Turks & Caicos initially expected to be the finalists. However, St. Lucia’s superior goal average saw them clinch the spot, setting up a highly anticipated showdown.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with Aruban fans turning out in full force despite the heat. Armed with parasols, brass bands, drums, whistles, and the national flags, they created an environment full of energy and support for their young athletes.

From the start, the match was evenly contested, with both teams missing clear chances in the first ten minutes. St. Lucia struck first in the 12th minute, when their star forward Amaya Emanuel found the back of the net with a powerful shot, giving her team a 1-0 lead. Emanuel, who had already scored seven goals in the tournament, proved to be a formidable opponent.

Despite the early setback, the Aruban team, spurred on by their passionate fans, remained resilient. Their persistence paid off in the 28th minute when Adannayah Breinburg unleashed a long-range shot that sailed past St. Lucia’s goalkeeper, Alyssa Flavius, to equalize the score at 1-1. Flavius, who had been a key player throughout the tournament, made several crucial saves to keep St. Lucia in the game, but Breinburg’s strike was unstoppable.

The first half ended with the teams tied, and the second half saw a slowdown in pace, with much of the play concentrated in midfield. St. Lucia applied pressure but struggled to create significant scoring opportunities, while Aruba’s most dangerous moments came from set pieces.

As the match ended in a 1-1 draw, extra time was needed to determine the winner. Aruba came out with renewed determination and dominated the extra periods. In the 8th minute of extra time, Zyana Rogers capitalized on a rebound in the box and sent the ball into the net, putting Aruba ahead 2-1. This goal proved to be the match-winner.

St. Lucia attempted to rally, but their efforts fell short as they struggled to penetrate Aruba’s defense. Despite a couple of additional chances for Aruba to extend their lead, the score remained 2-1 until the final whistle.

When the referee blew the whistle to end the game, a wave of emotion swept over the stadium. The Aruban players and fans erupted in celebration, marking a historic moment for the island as they lifted the CONCACAF U-15 Women’s Championship trophy for the first time.

This victory is especially sweet for Aruba, who last year fell short in the U-14 final held in Tampa, Florida. This time, however, the team managed to go all the way, securing the top prize and etching their names in the history books.

The achievement has been hailed as a significant milestone for Aruban football, inspiring a new generation of players and bringing the community together in celebration of their young champions.