PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (July 28, 2025)—Academia Quintana of Puerto Rico saw their 2025 CFU Club Shield campaign end despite a 3-0 win over SV Real Rincon of Bonaire when the teams met in a Group A match on Monday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The victory put the Puerto Ricans in a top-of-the-table tie with the Academy Eagles of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both with six points and the same +8 goal difference and eight goals scored, leaving it to the fair play rules to determine the winner. A 76th-minute yellow card for Academia Quintana defender Raysond Rosario gave them the disadvantage.

The Puerto Ricans dominated the match, controlling possession and keeping Real Rincon at bay. Despite an early scare in the 8th minute when Real Rincon’s Felix Verhaar skillfully weaved past defenders and fired just over the bar, it was Academia that set the tempo.

Relentless pressure from Academia forced multiple fouls from Real Rincon. A dangerous free kick in the 18th minute taken by Wilfredo Rivera narrowly missed the target, but the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Francisco Berdasco danced past his marker and sent in a cross that Real Rincon goalkeeper Rishion Frans could only punch away. With no defenders in sight to clear the danger, Marc Nieves pounced on the loose ball and fired it into the far corner to give Academia the lead.

Despite creating several more opportunities before the break, the Puerto Rican outfit was unable to extend their advantage, and the first half ended 1-0.

The second half resumed with high intensity. Rivera remained a thorn in Real Rincon’s side, drawing multiple fouls and bookings. In the 48th minute, Real Rincon's Jonathan Libania showcased his skill with a dazzling run and cross, but teammate Fabio Hierck squandered the chance, sending the ball just wide.

Academia responded almost immediately, with Juan O’Neill delivering a precise ball to captain Kevin Hernandez, whose effort crashed off the post. The match took a turn in the 59th minute when Libania received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle, reducing Real Rincon to 10 men.

Frans did his best to keep his team in the contest, producing a brilliant save to deny a long-range strike from Hernandez in the 69th minute. However, the pressure finally told in the 83rd minute. Substitute Heuyin Guardia finished a crisp move involving Jan Mateo and Hernandez to make it 2-0.

Just two minutes later, Heuyin put the result beyond doubt with a moment of brilliance—flicking the ball over a defender and volleying it past a diving Frans for his second of the day.

Things went from bad to worse for Real Rincon in the 89th minute when Richajier Oleana was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Heuyin just outside the area. Jackie Marrero took the ensuing free kick, but his effort drifted wide.

The final whistle confirmed a dominant 3-0 win for Academia Quintana on a bittersweet afternoon. Both teams ended their 2025 run.