Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz secured a confident 2-0 win over Peru in the first of their two scheduled international friendlies on Sunday. Goals from Jody Brown and Kayla McKenna ensured victory as the team continued their strong run of form, marking their third consecutive win—something they had not achieved since 2022.
The Reggae Girlz took an early lead in the 5th minute when Kayla McKenna set up Jody Brown for the opening goal. Brown’s strike marked her first international goal for Jamaica since February 2023, when she last scored against the Czech Republic. The goal was also her 16th at the senior international level. Despite a spirited effort from Peru, Jamaica went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, maintaining control of the match.
Jamaica doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute, this time with Brown turning provider. She assisted Kayla McKenna, who found the net for the second consecutive match, having also scored in a 3-2 victory over South Africa in December 2024. McKenna’s goal was her fifth for the national team and highlighted the attacking chemistry developing within the squad.
The victory was particularly significant as it marked the Reggae Girlz' first triumph on South American soil since their 2-1 win over Colombia in 2018. It was also the first time since 2022 that they had defeated a South American opponent, with their last such victory coming against Paraguay in Montego Bay. Additionally, Jamaica managed to keep a clean sheet in South America for the first time since 2007, when they secured a 1-0 win over Ecuador.
The win also set a positive tone for the year, as it was the first time since 2022 that the Reggae Girlz had opened a calendar year with a victory—their last such success coming against Bermuda in February of that year. With momentum firmly on their side, the team is steadily proving their capability on the international stage.
The Reggae Girlz will face Peru again on Wednesday in their second international friendly. With confidence running high, they will aim to extend their winning streak and continue their impressive start to 2025. The last meeting between these two teams came at the 2019 Pan American Games, where Jamaica edged Peru 1-0. The Reggae Girlz will look to replicate that success in their upcoming fixture, further cementing their progress as a competitive force in women’s football.