Reggae Boyz earn Mexico showdown with hard-fought Honduras draw
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica secured a third consecutive Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal appearance Monday night, battling Honduras to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés to finish second in League A Group B.
- Tyreece Campbell put the Reggae Boyz ahead with a superb individual goal in the 27th minute, but Luis Palma answered six minutes after halftime with a spectacular long-range strike to force the teams to share the points.
- The result left Jamaica, Guatemala and Suriname tied on seven points, with Guatemala taking first place, Jamaica second and Suriname third on goal difference.
- The reward for Jamaica is a two-legged quarterfinal against Mexico in November, with a place in the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup on the line.
- Campbell provides the breakthrough Head coach Rudolph Speid had called for Jamaica to approach the match with ambition, but Honduras controlled much of the opening exchanges and forced the Boyz to rely heavily on the counterattack.
Jamaica secured a third consecutive Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal appearance Monday night, battling Honduras to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés to finish second in League A Group B.
Tyreece Campbell put the Reggae Boyz ahead with a superb individual goal in the 27th minute, but Luis Palma answered six minutes after halftime with a spectacular long-range strike to force the teams to share the points.
The result left Jamaica, Guatemala and Suriname tied on seven points, with Guatemala taking first place, Jamaica second and Suriname third on goal difference.
The reward for Jamaica is a two-legged quarterfinal against Mexico in November, with a place in the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup on the line.
Campbell provides the breakthrough
Head coach Rudolph Speid had called for Jamaica to approach the match with ambition, but Honduras controlled much of the opening exchanges and forced the Boyz to rely heavily on the counterattack.
Jamaica nevertheless found the opening goal just before the half-hour mark.
Ronaldo Webster supplied Campbell from the left, and the forward drove toward the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a fierce right-footed shot that clipped the upright on its way into the net.
Jamaica nearly doubled the advantage soon afterward.
Javon East, who had scored both goals in the Boyz’s 2-0 victory over El Salvador, raced clear from the halfway line and found himself with only goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar to beat.
But East’s finish drifted wide of the target, allowing Honduras to remain within striking distance.
Palma levels with a rocket
Honduras offered little attacking threat before halftime but emerged with greater urgency after the interval.
The pressure produced an equalizer in the 51st minute when Palma unleashed a vicious 30-yard effort that flew beyond the reach of Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.
With the momentum shifting toward the hosts, Jamaica was forced to defend deeper while continuing to look for openings on the counter.
Another opportunity arrived when Miguel Freckleton released Webster behind the Honduran defense.
Webster cut inside his marker and created space for the shot, but his effort lacked the power to trouble Menjivar, who gathered comfortably.
Neither side could find a winner, leaving Jamaica with the point it needed to secure passage to the quarterfinals.
Mexico awaits in November
Jamaica and Guatemala both finished on seven points, but Guatemala claimed the group because of its superior goal difference. Suriname also reached seven points but finished third.
Honduras ended fourth with four points, enough to preserve its League A status. Martinique and El Salvador, also on four points, were relegated to League B.
Jamaica’s advancement means the Boyz will now face Mexico over two legs in November.
The stakes will extend beyond the Nations League. The winner of the quarterfinal will automatically qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, while the losing team will have to go through the qualifying round.
Jamaica’s best Nations League finish came in 2024, when the Boyz captured the bronze medal.
Teams: Jamaica - Andre Blake, Miguel Freckleton, Courtney Clarke (Dwayne Atkinson 90th), Richard King, Kaheim Dixon (Tajay Grant 90th), Tyreece Campbell (Ramone Howell 79th), Javon East (Jahmarie Nolan 62nd), Karoy Anderson, Damion Lowe, Kyle Ming, Ronaldo Webster (Christopher Ainsworth 90th).
Booked: Kyle Ming (50th), Ronaldo Webster (87th).
Subs not used: Amal Knight, Shaquan Davis, Brandon Cover, Jamone Lyle.
Honduras - Edrick Menjivar, Clinton Benett (Joseph Rosales 82nd), Giancarlo Sacaza, Luis Vega, Kervin Arriaga, Jonathan Rubio (Mike Arana 72nd), Keyrol Figueroa (Edwin Rodriguez 62nd), Luis Palma, Clever Portillo, Jose Reyes (Exon Arzu 62nd), Dereck Moncada (Bryan Rochez 82nd).
Booked: Clever Portillo (74th).
Subs not used: Alex Guity, Luis Ortiz, Cristopher Melendez, David Ruiz-Ochoa, Erick Puerto, Deybi Flores, Jorge Alvarez.
Referee: Marco Ortiz (Mexico).
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Espinosa (Mexico).
Assistant Referee 2: Michel Morales (Mexico).
Fourth Official: Victor Caceres (Mexico).
Match Commissioner: Melanie Matute (Belize).
Concacaf Nations League A — Group B Standings
| Pos. | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| ---: | ----------- | -: | -: | -: | -: | -: | --: |
| 1 | Guatemala | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | Jamaica | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
| 3 | Suriname | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 7 |
| 4 | Honduras | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 5 | Martinique | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 6 | El Salvador | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -6 | 4 |
