Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz turned in arguably their most complete performance of the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers so far, as they registered a commanding 3-0 win over Group E rivals Guatemala that secured top spot and sent a clear message ahead of the next phase.
A brace from the in-form Warner Brown (37th, 73rd) and a powerful header from Jonathan Russell (26th) sealed the victory in what was billed as a top-of-the-table clash but ended as a show of dominance by the Jamaicans under the lights at the National Stadium on Tuesday. The win gave Jamaica a perfect 12 points from four matches, while Guatemala, already assured of advancement to the final round, finished on nine.
What made the result even more significant is that the two sides will meet again in just six days at the Concacaf Gold Cup. And if Tuesday’s performance is any indication, the Boyz will go into that fixture with heavy momentum and favouritism.
From the opening whistle, there was an unmistakable sharpness and intensity about Steve McClaren's side. The midfield trio of Isaac Hayden, Jonathan Russell, and Demarai Gray bossed possession early, giving wide men Leon Bailey and Renaldo Cephas the freedom to stretch Guatemala’s defence.
The first real warning came in the 22nd minute when Bailey’s corner fell invitingly to Brown, who couldn’t keep his close-range effort down. But the breakthrough would not take much longer.
In the 26th, Bailey turned provider again, floating in a perfectly weighted cross from the right, and Russell rose highest to expertly head past the diving Nicholas Hagen in goal for Guatemala.
Guatemala, reeling, struggled to find rhythm, and the Boyz nearly doubled their lead moments later when Cephas provided a decent cross in, but Brown couldn't keep his header down. Bailey also stung Hagen’s gloves with a left-footed strike from outside the area after a slick give-and-go with Russell.
The inevitable second goal came in the 37th minute after Demarai Gray was bundled over in the box. Bailey stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to see Hagen parry it away, but Brown was alert and crashed home the rebound with confidence to make it 2-0 at the break.
Like they did at the start, the Boyz were again spirited at the resumption, as they showed the same intent. Their ability to maintain attacking pressure while managing defensive responsibilities spoke to their evolution as a team, if only on the night. Damion Lowe snuffed out a rare Guatemalan counter with a crucial challenge early in the half.
The Boyz nearly went three up through Brown, who headed over from another Cephas cross in the 56th minute. Then in the 59th, Cephas—a livewire all night—delivered another teasing ball that found defender Richard King at the back post, but his stabbed effort struck the outside of the upright.
However, the killer blow came in the 73rd minute. After winning a corner with yet another burst down the flank, Cephas stood aside as Gray delivered a clever low corner to the near post. Brown darted in and finished sharply with the right foot.
There was still time for more flair. Brown set up Bailey with a gilt-edged chance in the 75th, but the Aston Villa man fired his shot over the bar. Guatemala’s only real look-in came in the 82nd when Matthew Wolff unleashed a fierce left-footed strike from distance, but captain Andre Blake was equal to it with a low save.