Jamaica stun Canada to reach Nations League semis
![Jamaica reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League. AFP](https://cdn.resfu.com/scripts/tmp_images/afp_en_c502b78cf804b5f15005824d1c27ea64798d5c0e.jpg?size=1000x&lossy=1)
Two second-half goals from Shamar Nicholson and a late Bobby Reid penalty handed the Reggae Boyz a stunning second-leg upset at Toronto's BMO Field to send the Jamaicans through on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
Canada, who had won the first leg 2-1 in Kingston on Saturday, looked to be heading towards the last four after Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies put them 1-0 up on the night after 25 minutes to extend the aggregate lead to 3-1.
But Jamaica hit back with Nicholson's shot into the bottom corner making it 1-1 after 62 minutes. Four minutes later he levelled on aggregate when he slid home a close-range finish. There was more drama moments later when Ismael Kone headed home an equalizer that put the Canadians back ahead on aggregate.
Canada's relief was short-lived. On 75 minutes Stephen Eustaquio was adjudged to have handled in the area and Reid stepped up calmly to fire in the penalty that sent Jamaica into the last four. Jamaica endured a nervous finish after being reduced to 10 men following Demarai Gray's 84th-minute dismissal, but the Reggae Boyz held on to advance.
In Tuesday's other Nations League quarter-final, Mexico completed an improbable comeback to book their place in the last four, beating Honduras 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Trailing 2-0 after losing the first leg last week, Mexico appeared to be heading out of the tournament after failing to add to Luis Chavez's 43rd-minute goal as normal time ran down.
But in the 11th minute of added time, Edson Alvarez scrambled in to make it 2-0, 2-2 on aggregate, and set up extra-time and penalties.
November 22, 2023