Women’s World Cup: Jamaica earn maiden win against Panama

Jamaica won their first-ever Women’s World Cup match after Allyson Swaby’s goal was enough to defeat Panama.

Swaby headed in in the second half to give the Reggae Girlz a great chance to earn a shock qualification into the last 16.

The victory moves Jamaica a point ahead of Brazil, who they face in a crucial final group match on Wednesday.

Panama were thrashed by Brazil in their opening match and a second loss has knocked them out of the tournament.

The Jamaican victory comes days after their goalless draw against France was hailed as their best-ever result.

Jamaica were without Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw after she was sent off against France, but they attacked from the start in her absence.

Atlanta Primus caused problems for the Panama defence throughout the first half and had two shots blocked before firing over.

Vyan Sampson also came close but Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey deflected her shot behind, before Bailey was called into action again to tip a Drew Spence free-kick onto the crossbar.

Swaby did get the breakthrough just before the hour when she headed into the bottom-right corner from Trudi Carter’s corner-kick.

A stoppage-time penalty was denied when the VAR ruled that Wendy Natis did not handball to block a Spence shot.

Panama did not offer too much in attack but they came close to rescuing a point in stoppage time when Emily Cedeno’s shot was blocked.

Cover Photo: Wedding Week” by CLender is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .