Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz were left heartbroken as they narrowly missed out on a spot at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, after a 1-2 loss to El Salvador in their Group H top-of-the-table decider at the Concacaf qualifiers in Guatemala on Saturday.

Needing just a draw to secure their third appearance at this level, following their campaigns in 1999 and 2011, the Jamaicans fought bravely. However, a dramatic 80th-minute strike from Brandon Ramirez dashed their hopes, sending El Salvador through instead.

Jefferson Perla (22nd) earlier gave El Salvador the lead before Raequan Campbell-Dennis pulled Jamaica level in the 48th.

Both teams entered the match tied on six points, with Jamaica holding a slim one-goal advantage at the top of the standings. The young Reggae Boyz only needed to avoid defeat, but El Salvador, knowing they needed a win, came out fighting.

From the opening whistle, the Jamaicans bossed possession and looked more threatening in open play, but it was the Central Americans pressed high who found the go-ahead goal when Perla drove a well-struck left-footed freekick past goalkeeper Justin Murray.

Though stung by the early setback, the Jamaicans maintained their rhythm and created several half-chances before the break. However, they failed to find the finishing touch and were left trailing 0-1 at the break with their World Cup dreams hanging in the balance.

With everything to play for, the young Reggae Boyz emerged with renewed intensity in the second half and quickly found the equalizer. Three minutes after the restart, Cadriano Marsh waltzed his way past defenders and drove a left-footer towards goal for Campbell-Dennis, who finished from close range and momentarily put Jamaica back in control.

From there, the momentum swung back and forth, with El Salvador pushing forward desperately and Jamaica looking to kill off the game with a decisive second goal.

However, the Jamaicans had some nervy moments at the back as El Salvador turned up the heat with 20 minutes to play. A defensive lapse in the 71st minute allowed Mayson Barillas through on goal, but Murray made a stunning diving save to his right.

El Salvador again went close seven minutes later when Kerin Torres’ vicious right-footed drive slipped through Murray’s gloves and struck the upright.

Then, the killer blow came in the 80th minute when a long ball over the top caught Jamaica’s defence flat-footed, allowing Ramirez a clear look at goal, and the forward unleashed a powerful left-footed shot. Murray got a touch, but not enough to stop it, and despite a desperate clearance attempt by Cai McLean, the ball had already crossed the line.

With their World Cup fate slipping away, Jamaica threw everything forward in the dying moments and went close in the 86th when Seymour Reid’s effort from dead centre of the 18-yard box was charged down by a sea of El Salvadorian defenders.

El Salvador almost put the game to bed in the 90th from another break, but Murray raced off his line to snuff out another counterattack.

Despite 11 minutes of added time, the young Reggae Boyz were unable to break through again, as El Salvador held on for the victory and, with it, the coveted ticket to Qatar.