Copa America 2024 hopes dimming for Canada

On a wet and chilly Tuesday evening, the Canadian men played their second game against the Jamaica Reggae Boyz

Neena Channan is a journalist, photographer and correspondent for Jornal de Toronto at the CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) Quarter Final

On a wet and chilly Tuesday evening, the Canadian men played their second game against the Jamaica Reggae Boyz as part of the League A quarter final of the 2023-2024 CONCACAF Nations League.

The Canadian men arrived at BMO field with game 1 in hand. They had beaten the Reggae Boyz in Jamaica on Saturday (a rain delayed game) 2-1. The Canadian goals had been scored by Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio, the Jamaican goal by Shamar Nicholson.

 

In the first half Canada scored in the 25^th minute. Alphonso Davies fired a shot that was initially deflected by Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake but then spun backward into the net. Canada would have had a significant advantage in the first half but for two amazing saves from Jamaica’s Blake.

Heading into the second half with Canada leading 1-0 the momentum turned and Jamaica scored the equalizer in the 63^rd minute. A quick break and strike by Jamaica’s Nicholson made it 1-1. The game’s momentum swung in favour of Jamaica. Forward Demarai Gray made a perfect cross with Nicholson there to guide the ball in for a 2-1 lead for Jamaica in the 66^th minute.

With a flurry of activity, Canada quickly responded with a header by Ismael Kone to even the score 2-2 in the 69^th minute.

A controversial penalty call by Mexican referee Cesar Ramos after the ball hit Canada’s Stephen Eustaquio’s arm who appeared to be trying to get his arm down to his side to avoid contact was upheld after a video review. Jamaica’s Bobby Reid stepped up to take the penalty and converted for a 3-2 lead in the 78^th minute.

 

 

Although Gray received a second yellow card in the 84^th minute and was sent off, Canada was not able to score resulting in a 3-2 win for Jamaica. The first ever victory for Jamaica on Canadian soil.

The Jamaican win resulted in a 4-4 final on aggregate and based on away goal tiebreaker rules, Jamaica head to the CNL semi-finals to face the US in March 21, 2024. Panama will face Mexico in the other semi-final.

A one game playoff in March for a second chance for Canada will take place March 23, 2024, where Canada will face Trinidad & Tobago. Costa Rica will face Honduras for their play-in game. The winner in each play-in match will qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 joining the CNLF Semi-finalists for a total of six CONCACAF guest national teams in next summer’s tournament.

COPA America 2024 will take place in the US from June 20-July 14, 2024, with the 6 guest national teams plus all 10 South American nations, including Brazil and Argentina participating.