Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz registered their first win at the National Stadium in a year after a comfortable 3-0 win over Guatemala to top Group E in the second round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.

Before Tuesday’s clash, Steve McClaren had been unable to secure a win since being appointed head coach last July, with draws against Cuba and Honduras and a defeat to the United States.

The Jamaicans, who already secured final-round qualification prior to the contest, had also gone scoreless in those three games.

But they looked intent to break the duck, with star winger Leon Bailey registering their first shot on target in the 18th minute. However, his curling effort was easily saved by Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

The breakthrough came eight minutes later when Bailey’s cross found the surging debutant Jon Russell whose header was too powerful for Hagen.

Leading 1-0, the Reggae Boyz continued their momentum and were rewarded in the 38th minute when Demarai Gray won a penalty after being brought down by Erick Lemus.

Bailey stepped up and saw his tame effort saved by Hagen, but Warner Brown was the most alert to the rebound and smashed home to register his third international goal in just six games.

Following the half-time break, it took a while for the Boyz to find their feet again but it was Brown who got the fans going again in the 73rd minute.

From Demarai Gray’s corner, the Arnett Gardens talisman poked home at the front post to net his second of the game and fourth at this level.

Along with the victory, captain Andre Blake ensured he left with a clean sheet after pulling off a brilliant save in the 82nd minute to deny Matthew Evans’ effort.

McClaren’s men finish the group unbeaten with maximum 12 points, ahead of Guatemala on nine points.

They now await their opponents for the final round at Thursday’s draw. Jamaica will be in Pot 1, which means they could face the likes of Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Curacao and Guatemala and Suriname.

Only three teams from the final round are guaranteed to join hosts United States, Canada and Mexico at the 2026 showpiece.

The Jamaican contingent is set to leave the island in short order as they head to the USA for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The Boyz are scheduled to kick off their Gold Cup campaign versus Guatemala on Monday at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California.

— Daniel Blake