Reggae Boyz shock Canada to qualify for Copa America, Nations League semis

Jamaica forward Bobby Reid (10) celebrates his penalty-kick goal against Canada with teammates during the second half in the second leg of a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal in Toronto on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. (Photo: AP)

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz came from behind to shock Canada 3-2 in Tuesday’s return leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals at the BMO field in Toronto.

The result meant the teams ended 4-4 on aggregate after the two legs, but the the Reggae Boyz won the tie based on away goals.

It was Jamaica’s first-ever win over Canada in Canada and they were rewarded with a spot in their third Copa America, joining the USA and Panama in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Nations League set for March 2024.

Jamaica trailed 1-3 on aggregate going into the second half on Tuesday after losing 2-1 in the first leg at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday and going behind 1-0. But a frenetic 15 minute-period of the second half flipped the script on its head.

Shamar Nicholson, who scored on Saturday, scored two times in a three-minute span – his 12th and 13th goals for Jamaica – before Canada wrestled back the advantage when Ismael Kone scored in the 69th minute to make the aggregate score 4-3. However, Bobby deCordova Reid buried a penalty to decide the tie.

To add to the nail-biting finale, Demarai Gray, who was arguably Jamaica’s best player, was sent off by Mexican referee Cesar Ramos after picking up two yellow cards in a three-minute span, the second in the 83rd minute.

Despite a goalkeeping masterclass from Andre Blake, Jamaica trailed at half time thanks to a 25th minute goal from Alphonso Davies. The Reggae Boyz missed three gilt edged scoring chances, all from passes from Gray.

An adjustment at halftime saw Damion Lowe playing further up the pitch and it paid off as he won a tackle in the 63rd minute and found Nicholson who beat goalkeeper Milan Borjan from close with powerful shot to tie up the score at 1-1.

He completed his second Nations League brace and first since 2019 when he was sent through by Gray on the counter attack, beating Borjan through his legs to take the lead on the night.

Kone swung the pendulum back in Canada’s favour when he headed past Blake in the 69th minute.

However, there was more to come after Stephen Eustaquio, who scored the winner on Saturday, handled the ball in his area and, after a prolong VAR check, Reid cooly sent the Canadian goalkeeper the wrong way.

-Paul A Reid