Reggae Girlz fall 3-1 to Mexico as El Tri avenge loss

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz were beaten 3-1 by Mexico in the second game of their two-game international series in Querétaro, Mexico on Tuesday as the hosts rebounded after losing 3-4 on Friday. Jamaica made four changes to the starting team from Friday’s games, bringing in Chantel Swaby, Kayla McKenna, Trudi Cater and Solai Washington. However, the Girlz produced a lacklustre effort, especially in the first half when they conceded two goals. Team captain Khadija Shaw, who played all 90 minutes on Friday, was not on the match card on Tuesday. To add to the loss, Jamaica’s captain on the night, Allyson Swaby was carted off in the second half after an injury to her right foot. An own goal in the sixth minute gifted Mexico the early lead, a result of a clumsy mix-up between goalkeeper Rebeca Spencer and her defenders that saw a back pass from Swaby roll under Spencer’s foot and across the goal line.

Jamaica’s head coach Hubert Busby Jr watches his players from the touchline during the women's international friendly football match between Mexico and Jamaica at La Corregidora Stadium in Santiago de Queretaro, Queretaro State, Mexico on October 13, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Spencer was well placed in the 19th minute to block a powerful shot from point blank range taken by Lizbeth Ovalle and a minute later Maricarmen Reyes missed from about three yards, lifting the ball over the cross bar. Another mistake by the Jamaican defence gifted Mexico the second goal in the 32nd minute as Reyes ran between two defenders to volley a cross from the left flank inside the right post. Ovalle made the score 3-0 in the 58th minute with a stunning left footed free kick from about 25 yards that gave substitute goalkeeper Liya Brooks no chance. Kalyssa van Zanten pulled a goal back for Jamaica in the 60th minute, when her well taken shot from just on the edge of the 18-yard box flew high into the far left corner. -Paul A Reid