Portmore United returned to the pinnacle of club football in Jamaica on Sunday, beating defending champions Cavalier 5-3 on penalties after they played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time in the final played at the National Stadium.

It was their eighth title, including two won as Hazard United in the 1990s, but first since 2019. The feat denied Cavalier a third straight title and fifth overall.

Goalkeeper Daniel Russell’s save in the fourth round of the shootout was the decider, denying Terence Williams.

Portmore United, who beat the last two teams to lift the title, having knocked out Mt Pleasant in the semi-finals, took the lead in the fourth minute but Kimarly Scott scored a 16 minute brace to give Cavalier a 2-1 lead at half time.

Tarick Ximines, however, levelled the scores in the 60th minute and, after playing out another hour including extra time, the title was decided from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo Robinson gave Portmore the lead when he was the first to get to a rebound off a free kick from Emelio Rouseau and fired into the goal.

Scott, who had scored both goals in Cavalier’s 2-0 win over Montego Bay United in their semi-final second leg, rose to the call and took his team to the front, capitalising on two mistakes made in the Portmore defense.

He equalised in the 26th minute when he got to a back pass from Rouseau intended for goalkeeper Daniel Russell. The speedy striker got to the ball first and guided the ball into the far left corner.

Cavalier took the lead in the 42nd minute when Scott scored four minutes before half time, once again profiting from a mistake in the Portmore defense.

Ximenes drew his team level in the 60th minute when he was well placed just inside the 18-yard box to guide a lofted cross from Ramone Howell over goalkeeper Taywane Lynch.