Jamaica have qualified for the Women’s World Cup with a 4-2 win on penalties over Panama, following a 2-2 draw in extra time in the third place match of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in Frisco, TX, USA. The United States defeated Canada 2-0 in the final.

In a third place match between two teams that had never before qualified, the Reggae Girlz struck first through Khadija SHAW, whose 14th minute header took her world-leading qualifying total to nineteen goals. Natalia MILLS equalised fifteen minutes from time, forcing the match to overtime. In the 95th minute, Jody BROWN put Jamaica ahead again, but with five minutes left to play, Lineth CEDEÑO drew the Cañaleras level once more.

As the extra time wound down, Jamaica manager Hue MENZIES played his final card, swapping goalkeeper Sydney SCHNEIDER in favour of Nicole MCCLURE. Penalty specialist McClure dramatically took control of the penalty shootout, saving efforts from Cedeño and Kenia RANGEL whilst her teammates converted each of their attempts. Dominique BOND-FLASZA scored the decisive penalty that sent the Reggae Girlz to the Women’s World Cup, the first Caribbean team ever to qualify. Panama, meanwhile, will have another chance next month in the CONCACAF/​CONMEBOL playoff against Argentina.

With Canada and the US having already qualified, they played only for regional pride in the tournament final. Rose LAVELLE put the host nation ahead in the second minute, and Alex MORGAN secured the title two minutes from time with her 97th international goal.