Reggae Boyz Grab First Gold Cup Win with 2-1 Comeback Over Guadeloupe

Goals from Leon Bailey (41’) and Jonathan Russell (45+4’) overturned the early deficit and secured a crucial win for the Boyz, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.

Bailey leads Jamaica to crucial Gold Cup win (Photo: Gettyimages)

After a 0-1 loss to Guatemala at their first match in Group C, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz grabbed their first win of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup with a 2-1 victory over Guadeloupe at PayPal Park on Friday night.

Thierry Ambrose opened the scoring for Guadeloupe in the 32nd minute, giving them a shock lead. However, Leon Bailey equalized in the 41st minute with a strike to the center of the goal, following a pass from Warner Brown. Just before halftime, Jonathan Russell headed home a crucial goal in the 45+4 minute, keeping Jamaica’s quarter-final hopes alive.

Despite the final scoreline, it wasn’t an easy game for Jamaica—but the win was vital to their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.

On Tuesday night at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Steve McClaren’s Boyz will face Panama, with a win securing their place in the quarter-finals.