Late Bent strike lifts Jamaica past Honduras in Concacaf U-20 Group C opener

Jamaica opened their Concacaf Under-20 Championships Group C campaign with a 2-1 victory over Honduras on Sunday at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla, Mexico.

Brandon Bent’s goal in stoppage time settled a 1-1 contest, giving Jamaica a first triumph at the tournament since 2022. The result also leaves them sharing the top of the group with Canada, who earlier defeated Panama 3-0 in the zone’s other fixture.

The Jamaicans went ahead before the interval, then surrendered that advantage in the 75th minute as Honduras seized control after the break.

Jahmarie Nolan put Jamaica in front in the 21st minute, driving a shot from the right of the Honduras penalty area beyond goalkeeper Alan Cury and just inside the far upright. Kimarly Scott later had a chance to stretch the lead when he found himself one-on-one with Cury, only to fire directly at the Honduran keeper.

After half-time Honduras pressed Jamaica deep into their defensive third and were paid for that pressure in the 75th minute. Victor Salazar converted a well-worked move for the equaliser — Honduras’ first effort on target.

The decisive moment arrived in added time. Honduras could not clear a corner, Bent reacted first, stepped left to open space, and drove the ball past the diving Cury.

Jamaica’s starting lineup: Joshua Grant, Jaquan Brown, Jahmarie Nolan, Jermaine Young, Jabarie Howell, Jahmani Bell, Sean Leighton, Duwayne Burgher, Santana Headley, Kimarly Scott, Brandon Bent.