Javon East struck twice as Jamaica beat ten-man El Salvador 2-0 in San Salvador, lifting the Reggae Boyz to second place in Concacaf Nations League Group B.
Main image: DGBN graphic
Jamaica got their Nations League campaign back on the winning track on Friday night at the Estadio Cuscatlán, punishing a home side that played more than 70 minutes a man down.
Early red card changes the game
The decisive moment came in the 20th minute. El Salvador defender Rudy Clavel was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on East, the forward who would go on to decide the contest.
With the extra man, the Reggae Boyz took control of possession and territory. The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute, when Miguel Freckleton delivered a fine cross and East met it with a volley that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
East completes his double
Jamaica stayed patient after the interval and doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Second-half substitute Jahmarie Nolan picked out East, who finished first time to seal the points and complete a memorable night for the forward.
El Salvador, coached by the veteran Colombian Hernán Darío Gómez, never found a way back with ten men, and the defeat leaves the Central Americans bottom of the group on three points.
Where Jamaica stand
The win moves Jamaica on to six points, one behind group leaders Suriname, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarter-finals. The Reggae Boyz complete their group programme against Honduras at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa on Monday, with qualification for the knockout rounds within reach.
Why it matters
For Jamaica and its vast diaspora in the UK, the United States and Canada, the Reggae Boyz remain one of the Caribbean’s great unifying forces. A convincing away win in Central America, built around a homegrown match-winner, is exactly the kind of result supporters at home and abroad have been waiting for, and it sets up a high-stakes finale in Honduras.