KINGSTON, Jamaica — Khadija Shaw scored a brace as Jamaica held on to score a come from behind 3-2 win over Nicaragua in their Concacaf W Zone B Qualifiers at the Estadio Nacional in Managua on Monday.

The win was Jamaica’s first over a Central American team since July 2023 and saw the Girlz retake the lead in the points tables on goal-difference over Nicaragua who have played one game more.

Shaw’s double took her tally to 62 goals in 46 games in the Jamaican colours.

Despite getting off to a better start, Jamaica trailed after 27 minutes when Sheyla Flores converted a penalty from a handball incident in the Jamaican 18 yards box.

Shaw, who had some close misses before, connected in the 37th minute when her header from a cross from Tiffany Cameron flew just past goalkeeper Greta Genie’s right hand, low into the corner of the goal.

Shaw gave Jamaica the lead in the 58th minute when she flicked a ball just out of the reach of Genie from close range and Shania Hayles made it 3-1 in the 68th minute with her second goal for Jamaica in her eighth appearance.

The home team made things interesting after Nuria Marquez cut the deficit to one goal when she beat the Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer in the 82nd minute.

— Paul A Reid