Jamaica 3–2 Mexico: Cephas and King put the Reggae Boyz in front in the Nations League quarterfinal
Jamaica beat defending champions Mexico 3–2 at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal. An own goal by Jesús Gallardo, Renaldo Cephas's strike just after half-time and Richard King's penalty put Jamaica 3–0 up before Gilberto Mora and Julián Quiñones replied late for Mexico. The second leg is in Monterrey on Tuesday.
Key points
- Jamaica 3–2 Mexico in Kingston — the Reggae Boyz lead the Nations League quarterfinal at halfway.
- Gallardo's own goal, Cephas just after half-time and King's penalty put Jamaica 3–0 up.
- Mora and Quiñones scored in the last 20 minutes to keep Mexico in the tie.
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- Second leg on Tuesday in Monterrey; Jamaica need a draw to reach the Finals.
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What happened
Jamaica scored three times from three shots on target, per Concacaf's post-match data, against a Mexico side that held most of the possession. The hosts' third goal, King's penalty just after the hour, left the defending champions needing a comeback that two late goals only half completed.
For Mexico the result deepens a poor start under Rafael Márquez, now five official matches without a win. For Jamaica it is a first-ever three-goal game against Mexico, and one draw away from the Nations League Finals.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedJamaica beat Mexico 3–2 at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League League A quarterfinal. Mexico are the defending champions. The second leg is on Tuesday at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, and the winner of the series advances to the Nations League Finals.Concacaf — Jamaica defeats Mexico in Nations League Quarterfinals First Leg (15 Nov 2026) · Associated Press, via The Herald Review — Jamaica stuns Mexico 3-2, closing in on the Nations League semifinals (15 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe goals were: an own goal by Mexico defender Jesús Gallardo in the 27th minute, deflecting Ronaldo Webster's corner; Renaldo Cephas for Jamaica in the 46th; Richard King's penalty for Jamaica in the 63rd; Gilberto Mora for Mexico in the 70th; and Julián Quiñones's penalty for Mexico in the 81st. Jamaica led 1–0 at half-time and 3–0 before Mexico's two late replies.Concacaf — Jamaica defeats Mexico in Nations League Quarterfinals First Leg (15 Nov 2026) · Associated Press, via The Herald Review — Jamaica stuns Mexico 3-2, closing in on the Nations League semifinals (15 Nov 2026) · USA Today — Mexico lost to Jamaica. But El Tri's late goals could prove to be winners (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedIt is the first time Jamaica have scored three goals against Mexico in their history. At 18 years and 31 days, Mexico's Gilberto Mora became the youngest player to score for Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League. Jamaica goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made five saves.Concacaf — Jamaica defeats Mexico in Nations League Quarterfinals First Leg (15 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe defeat extends Mexico's winless run under head coach Rafael Márquez to five official matches. Jamaica, ranked 66th in the world, need only a draw in Monterrey to advance, and would face the United States or Haiti in the semifinals.Associated Press, via The Herald Review — Jamaica stuns Mexico 3-2, closing in on the Nations League semifinals (15 Nov 2026) · USA Today — Mexico lost to Jamaica. But El Tri's late goals could prove to be winners (14 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- The result, the scorers and the second leg's date and venue are settled by Concacaf's official match report, with AP in agreement.
What we don't know yet
- Who advances — the tie is decided in Monterrey on Tuesday.
- The tiebreaker if the aggregate score finishes level — it was not stated in Concacaf's match report.