MIAMI – Jamaica and Honduras claimed important victories as the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League continued with three Group B encounters in League A on Thursday.
Honduras opened the matchday with a valuable win at French Guiana to climb to one of the top two spots in the group. Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago played out a hard-fought draw, while Jamaica defeated Nicaragua to remain in first place in the group.
Jamaica leads the group with seven points, followed by Honduras with six and Nicaragua with four points. The bottom half of the standings begins with Cuba on three points, Trinidad and Tobago with two, and French Guiana with one point.
French Guiana vs. Honduras
Honduras opened the matchday with a 3-2 win against French Guiana at the Stade Municipal Dr. Edmard Lama in Remire-Montjoly, French Guiana.
Edwin Rodríguez had an early opportunity to give Honduras the lead in the 8’, but his volley inside the box was met by a save from French Guiana goalkeeper Donovan Leon.
Ansley Panelle had a dangerous look for the hosts in the 15’ with a right footed strike from long-distance but was denied by Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar.
Anthony Lozano gave the visitors the lead right before the half, sending the ball to the back of the net from the center of the box in the 45’+1 with an assist from Rigoberto Rivas.
Raphaël Galas equalized for French Guiana in the 56,’ with a finish inside the box.
Deybi Flores reclaimed the lead for Los Catrachos in the 67’ with a header inside the penalty following a delivery from a corner kick.
Honduras extended its lead in the 74’ with a finish across goal from Jorge Benguché following a through ball from Jorge Álvarez.
A late goal by Jules Haabo cut the deficit for the hosts in the 90’+4 for the 3-2 scoreline.
With the win, the Central Americans climbed up to second place in Group B.
Cuba vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago drew 2-2 at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Sheldon Bateau opened the scoring in the 8’ to give Trinidad and Tobago the lead with a header at the far post. Triston Hodge delivered the cross from the left side of the pitch.
Dairon Reyes came close to equalizing for Cuba in the 12’ with an attempt from outside the box that hit the woodwork.
A long-range right-footed drive from Maykel Reyes tied the match for the hosts in the 64’.
The Socca Warriors reclaimed the lead in the 70’ through a powerful left-footed strike to the far post from Joevin Jones from the edge of the box. With the goal Jones took his tally to four and is Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time top scorer in the CNL.
Aniel Casanova equalized from close range inside the penalty box in the 75’ to secure the point for Cuba.
Nicaragua vs. Jamaica
Jamaica defeated Nicaragua 2-nil at Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua.
The visitors took the lead in the 32’ through and own goal from Nicaragua’s Josué Quijano.
Juan Barrera came close to tying the match for Nicaragua in the 27’ with a potent left-footed shot from long distance, but his attempt was denied by Jamaica’s goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Jamaica extended its lead in the 69’ through a finish from Romario Williams from close range following a corner kick.
In the 88’, two saves in quick succession from Blake prevented Nicaragua from equalizing. Blake subsequently closed out the match with six saves to secure a second clean sheet this Nations League campaign.
With the win, the Reggae Boyz maintain the lead in first place in Group B.
Group B will resume Monday, with Jamaica facing Honduras in a battle for the top spot. Trinidad and Tobago will host Cuba, while Nicaragua will receive French Guiana.
