Barbados surprised Aruba by winning 2-0 in the away leg of their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
Mario Harte and Wigan veteran Emmerson Boyce provided first-half goals for the visitors, who already had to defeat the U.S. Virgin Islands to get to the second round of qualifying.
Even after Akeene Browne was sent off in the second half, Aruba could not find the net as they began their qualifying campaign.
Cuba's quest to reach the World Cup also got off to a rocky start as they were held to a 0-0 draw in Curacao, a team 37 spots below them in the FIFA rankings.
Cuba will need to win their return leg in Havana on Sunday to advance.
Saint Lucia took a big step toward reaching the third round with a shock 3-1 win away to Antigua and Barbuda, the third-highest ranked side involved in the second round.
Although Tevaughn Harriette opened the scoring for the hosts in the 21st minute, Saint Lucia equalised five minutes later through Tremain Paul.
David Henry put them ahead in the second half and Troy Greenidge's stoppage-time goal made the lead comfortable ahead of the second leg, which will also be played in Antigua because Saint Lucia lack a suitable ground.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines salvaged a 2-2 draw at home against South American side Guyana.
Brandon Beresford's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Cornelius Stewart, and although Guyana again took the lead through Daniel Wilson in the 75th minute, Tevin Slater answered in the 83rd to level the score.
The second round of qualifying began on Sunday night when Carlos Chavarria's goal lifted Nicaragua to a 1-0 win over Suriname.