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Curaçao stun Jamaica at Stadium
November 19, 2025
A packed National Stadium was left dumbfounded last night after the Reggae Boyz played to a 0-0 draw with Curacao and the Dutch island claimed the coveted automatic spot from Group B of Concacaf final round qualifying to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Curacao topped the group with 12 points, one more than the Reggae Boyz, who will now have to seek to qualify via the difficult inter-confederation playoff route.
Jamaica started positive and gained the ascendancy after 10 minutes, but with no real chance created.
Leandro Bacuna was the first to threaten the goal for Curacao, but his free kick went straight to Jamaica's goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Then the visitors' Sontje Hansen had a great chance but a sliding block from Ethan Pinnock denied his effort.
Moments later Pinnock lost possession to Juninho Bacuna, but recovered to block his shot.
Shamar Nicholson had the best chance for a go-ahead goal for Jamaica but could not beat goalkeeper Eloy Room after he was played through by Demarai Gray.
Curacao started to look very dangerous after 20 minutes, but good defending from the Reggae Boyz kept them at bay.
Issac Hayden had a good effort but his volley went over as Jamaica applied the pressure. Leandro Bacuna dragged a shot wide after a slick build-up in the 33rd minute, as Curacao continued to look dangerous on the counter.
Five minutes into the second half, Jamaica nearly got caught on the counter, but Blake was quick off his line to avert the danger.
Jamaica came close to an opening goal moments later, but Dexter Lembisika's header came off a defender before being cleared.
In the 65th minute, Jurgen Locadia broke in behind Jamaica defence from a throw-in, but Blake was alert to his shot from tight angle.
However, with time slipping away Nicholson again came close for Jamaica on the night, but his firm header, from a cross, crashed against the bar.
Juninho Bacuna thought he had given the visitors the lead minutes later but he was blown for offside. Hansen then set up Sherel Floranus for a vicious strike which Blake had to tip over.
Curacao looked more positive in the closing stages, and only a couple good defensive blocks kept them out.
Bailey Cadermarteri then came inches from a goal, when he put his header wide in the 87th minute.
However, the writing was on the wall, when substitute Jon Russell picked up a second yellow card and was ejected in the 89th minute. The Boyz thought they were given a huge lifeline in time added when Dujuan Richards was taken down in the area, but after a VAR review the penalty decision was overturned.
Jamaica made a late desperate bid for the winner but Curacao held firm to become the smallest nation, by population, to qualify for the World Cup finals.
