The Reggae Girlz’s 1-0 triumph over Concacaf rivals Panama at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Saturday was indeed something remarkable. Something beyond traditional expectations. Something beyond the imagination. Something beyond normal.

For sure, it was something.

The feat was the finest moment in the history of Jamaica’s women’s football — the nation’s first-ever win at the global showpiece in their second appearance.

The wider football community no doubt sat amazed on Saturday as Jamaicans again wowed the world with sheer talent and fixity of purpose. This seems to be a habit of the nation of just under 3 million people.

In the 56th minute of play on Saturday, stand-in skipper Allyson Swaby — leading like a mighty warrior — headed home from Trudi Carter’s corner kick, sending the packed Perth Rectangular Stadium into a mixture of rip-roaring celebration and shock.

Never before has a Jamaican women’s football team exhibited the class, brilliance, dominance, tenacity, and a natural desire to win than this one. And to have done it without their talismanic leader Khadija “Bunny” Shaw speaks to the depth and character of this team led by Coach Lorne Donaldson.

In truth, the Girlz could have won by a larger margin since they were fluent in their build-ups and made a few exciting plays, but they were prevented by a mix of bad shooting, poor decision-making at crucial stages, and some good glove work by Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey.

Donaldson said the victory was significant for the country and demonstrated the Reggae Girlz’s true fighting spirit.

“I am very, very for Jamaica right now,” Donaldson said.

“I think we were a little lacklustre in the first half, [but] the girls were still high coming off the France game, and obviously there were a lot of jitters and butterflies. Most of times we aren’t the favourite to win a game and so that’s very, very difficult to carry that burden and that’s why I think that there were some wastefulness in front of the goal.

“We came back the second half and started early, and we picked it up. I like the way, again, how we fight through adversity to figure how to get a goal and so that’s good. Panama played well and they played a smart game, so give Panama some credit,” Donaldson added.

The Reggae Girlz top Group F with four points from two games, the same as France, who defeated third-placed Brazil (three points) 2-1 earlier.

The Reggae Girlz are in a good position to go to the next round as they only need a point from their game against Brazil on Wednesday to keep the fairytale going.

“Just enjoy this one and hopefully the next game we have to go again and try to get another result. It has been a tight group as three teams have a chance, and we just have to make sure we go in and fight again,” Donaldson said.

Due to the absence of Shaw, Donaldson made three changes, with Tiffany Cameron coming in at right back and Kayla McKenna and Trudi Carter joining Jody Brown in the three-pronged attack.

The Jamaicans dominated the first half and created multiple goalscoring opportunities, but the strikers lacked the efficiency to light up the arena, until Swaby’s goal that is. Carter and Atlanta Primus combined for three good chances in the first 20 minutes of play, but the finishing touches lacked the killer element.

Primus had another chance in the 27th minute, but her long-range free kick went over the crossbar. Drew Spence, a fan favourite, brought the audience on its feet in the 33rd minute when her strike inside the box went into the side netting.

Jamaica may have taken the lead if Bailey, in goal for Panama, had not saved Vyan Sampson’s effort from just beyond the box in the 35th minute. If it wasn’t enough of a threat, Spence’s free kick from long range in the 45+1 minute that rocked the crossbar was a clear indication of whom were more hungry for glory.

Jamaica, too, had some scary moments at the back, but goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and defenders Deneisha Blackwood and Swaby held firm, denying Panama any scoring chances. Three players were cautioned in the first half, including Panamanians Emily Ceneo (13th minute) and Deysire Salazar (18th minute) as well as local girl Blackwood (31st minute).

Despite absorbing some pressure at the start of the second half, the Girlz later reasserted their influence and went near again when Carter’s shot was diverted wide by a defender.

The resulting Carter corner was superbly met and headed in by captain Swaby, leaving Bailey with no chance.

Jamaica could have extended their lead a minute after the hour mark when Brown sent a lovely through pass to McKenna, who intercepted the approaching Bailey. However, the striker got a meaty first touch that forced her too wide to get a shot off.

When Spence’s shot from outside the 18-yard box was touched inside the red zone, the Jamaicans assumed they would certainly get a second from the penalty spot after pressing and probing. However, on a video assistant referee (VAR) review in time added, Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul overruled the decision to award the 12-yard kick.

Swaby was filled with joy at the game’s outcome.

“This is something that you dream about when you play in a World Cup to score and win and I am so happy that I could do it,” she said in a post-game interview.

“They (Panama) played really well, that was definitely the hardest match we have played so far against them and it’s exciting because it means that Concacaf is growing, and this tournament is just showing that. But the win is huge, it keeps our dream of getting out of this group alive,” she added.

Teams: Jamaica — Rebecca Spencer, Vyan Sampson, Allyson Swaby, Chantelle Swaby, Deneisha Blackwood, Atlanta Primus (Peyton McNamara 87th), Trudi Carter (Cheyna Matthews 65th), Drew Spence, Tiffany Cameron (Tiernny Wiltshire 87th), Jody Brown (Solai Washington 80th), Kayla McKenna (Kameron Simmonds 80th)

Subs not used: Sydney Schneider, Liya Brooks, Konya Plummer, Havana Solaun, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Paige Bailey-Gayle,

Booked: Blackwood (31st)

Panama — Yenith Bailey, Wendy Natis, Katherine Castillo, Yomira Pinzon, Deysire Salazar (Aldrith Quintero 46th), Emily Cedeno, Schiandra Gonzalez (Carmen Montenegro 78th), Marta Cox, Riley Tanner, Lineth Cedeno (Karla Riley 64th), Carina Baltrip-Reyes (Hilary Jaen 87th)

Subs not used: Farissa Cordoba, Sasha Fabrega, Nicole De Obaldia, Erik Hernandez, Laurie Batista, Rebeca Espinosa, Rosario Vargas, Natalia Mills,

Booked: E Cedeno (13th), Salazar (18th)

Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)

Assistant referees: Maryna Striletska (UKR); Paulina Baranowska (POL)

Fourth official: Akhona Makalima (RSA)