2025 Gold Cup: Jamaica Escapes Guadeloupe, While Panama Edges Guatemala
Group C is very tight, but we had some exciting moments.
The second group stage matches for Group C were a battle of two Caribbean sides, while the nightcap was the two Central American sides. We will see which teams will survive to earn those top two positions in the group to advance to the Quarterfinals.
JAMAICA 2:1 GUADELOUPE
Jamaica had to be better in this one after their poor loss to Guatemala in the first game in the group. After conceding one goal and having several chances to equalize and fail, they had to find the full three points in this one.
Guadeloupe struck first, and once again, it was poor defending from the Reggae Boys. In the 32nd minute, it was a short corner that was passed to Noah Cadiou down low, then found Thierry Ambrose as he redirected the shot inside the far post.
However, Jamaica was able to equalize in the 41st minute, as Leon Bailey scored the tying goal. Warner Brown received the ball inside the area on the near side, crossed it to the middle, and Bailey smashed it home. After hitting the near post and crossbar on two other occasions, he finally got his goal.
But in first half stoppage time, Jamaica got the match winner. As Demarai Gray crossed the ball from the near side to the far, he saw Jonathan Russell camped out by the far post, and he headed the ball down and into the back of the net.
Throughout the second half, Guadeloupe kept fighting to get the equalizer, but Jamaican keeper Andre Blake found ways to keep the ball out of the net. But when it looked like Guadeloupe equalized in second half stoppage time, the referee blew the play dead for a foul in the box.
Guadeloupe is eliminated from reaching the knockout stages, while Jamaica has a lifeline for the last group stage match against Panama.
GUATEMALA 0:1 PANAMA
The Canal Boys had a great time tearing down Guadeloupe, but they are well aware of how dangerous this new era of Guatemalan football is. They know very well the type of fight they are getting themselves into, as Thomas Christiansen will have his boys prepared.
In the 19th minute, Fidel Escobar looped the ball forward and sprung Michael Murillo down the far side; he crossed the ball toward Tomas Rodriguez inside the area and beat the keeper for the early lead.
After that, it was all on the defense of Panama and the goalkeeper, Orlando Mosquera. Making several saves and solid defending helped them do to Guatemala what their opponents did to Jamaica. Panama now qualifies for the Quarterfinals while both Jamaica and Guatemala are tied on points.
2025 CONCACAF GOLD CUP GROUP B SCHEDULE
CURACAO Vs. CANADA 7:00 PM EDT FS1
HONDURAS Vs. EL SALVADOR 10:00 PM EDT FS1