MIAMI, Florida – History was made on Saturday night as Jamaica earned their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory by defeating fellow Concacaf side Panama 1-0 in the second match of Group F at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.
This was the first time that two teams from Concacaf have played each other in a Women’s World Cup group stage. With the result, Jamaica now have four points and sit in second place in the group with a match to go, while Panama are fourth and have been eliminated from advancing.
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This historical affair started off with Jamaica missing their captain and star striker Khadija Shaw due to suspensión, but the Reggae Girlz refused to let it be a setback, proving so with a good chance in the 7’ when DF Tiffany Cameron shot for goal and the ball going wide of the post.
It was all Jamaica in the first half, but a clear chance for Panama came in the 40’ when captain and MF Marta Cox took the ball away from Jamaica’s defense and launched a shot that landed directly in the hands of Jamaica GK Rebecca Spencer.
Jamaica’s pressure finally bore fruit, as they took the lead in the 56’ when DF Allyson Swaby scored a header from a corner kick, beating Panama’s defense, with GK Yenith Bailey unable to reach the ball.
It was Jamaica’s second ever goal in a Women’s World Cup and the first time they had ever held a lead in a Women’s World Cup match.
The intensity continued until the last minutes of the match. Cox had the last chance for Panama in the 90+8’, trying a bicycle kick from outside the area, the ball having a good direction but not enough force to test Spencer.
Both teams will go again on Wednesday, with Panama facing France at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Jamaica will try to write a new chapter in their football history when they play Brazil at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
