COUVA, Trinidad (July 28, 2026) — Delfines del Este FC of the Dominican Republic held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat CVV Inter Willemstad of Curaçao 6-5 after a 1-1 draw in regulation, securing a place in the semifinals of the 2026 CFU Club Shield on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

After neither side could be separated after 90 minutes, the contest was decided from the penalty spot, where Delfines converted all six of their attempts before emerging victorious in the seventh round of the shootout.

The match began cautiously, with both teams taking time to settle before Delfines gradually assumed control of the attacking play. In the 17th minute, Diego Lasada delivered a cross that found Christopher Almonte inside the penalty area, but the forward's header drifted wide of the target. Moments later, Eduar Gonzalez saw his effort blocked following a goalmouth scramble.

Inter Willemstad responded after the hydration break and nearly broke the deadlock. Ruensly Leuteria created space outside the penalty area but fired narrowly over the crossbar. Davidson Rosa then squandered an even better opportunity, and his close-range effort was comfortably gathered by Delfines goalkeeper Pedro Espinal Almonte.

Those missed opportunities proved costly as Delfines capitalized in the 36th minute. Daniel Rosa was dispossessed deep in his own half, allowing Emmanuel Gomez to seize possession. The forward calmly rounded goalkeeper Nasser Lahham before slotting the ball into the empty net to give the Dominican Republic club a 1-0 advantage.

Delfines managed the remainder of the first half well and carried their slender lead into the interval.

Inter Willemstad returned for the second half determined to find an equalizer and were rewarded in the 53rd minute. Quinton Christina's cross was only partially cleared, and the loose ball fell to Ruensly Leuteria, who drilled a low finish into the bottom-left corner, leveling the contest at 1-1.

With the match finely poised, both teams pushed for a winner. In the 60th minute, goalkeeper Pedro Espinal Almonte came to Delfines' rescue, reading the danger superbly as Davidson Rosa broke behind the defense before racing off his line to snuff out the attack.

Delfines also came close to snatching victory in second-half stoppage time when Eduar Gonzalez beat his defender and whipped a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Lahham reacted well, claiming the ball and preserving the deadlock.

Neither side could find a decisive goal, sending the quarterfinal to a penalty shootout.

Delfines converted six of their seven spot kicks, with Eduar Gonzalez, Jhon Ramos Matta, Darlyn Valerio, Alvaro Cabrera Guzman, Esmailin Segura De Leon and Renzo Sala Batista scoring. Inter Willemstad responded with successful penalties from Jerensley Martina, Darwin Lourens, Mirco Colina, Ruensly Leuteria and Andruw Stokkel, but ultimately fell short as Delfines secured a 6-5 shootout victory.

The win sends Delfines del Este FC into the semifinals of the 2026 CFU Club Shield, where they will face Metropolitan FA of Puerto Rico for a place in the final, while Inter Willemstad's campaign comes to an end.