Jamaica, clinching a berth in the quarterfinals, completed an unbeaten campaign in Group A of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 5-0 demolition of St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday (July 2) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Following the result, the Reggae Boyz, with a slightly inferior goal difference, finish second in the group under a two-win, a single draw and zero-loss record behind the United States.

Jamaica will face the first-place team from Group D—a toss-up between leaders Guadeloupe or Guatemala—next Sunday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The first half hour was full of chances for Jamaica, mostly coming from a series of deep crosses but with no end product, as the opposing Sugar Boyz defense did well to stay compact and maintain their lines.

The senior Reggae Boyz, enjoying the lion’s share of possession throughout the game, broke the deadlock right before the 30-miniute mark. A deep cross from Leon Bailey reached Kaheem Parris, who tried to play back across goal only for Kittian goalkeeper Julani Archibald to deflect the ball over the line for a 1-0 Jamaica lead.

Jamaica then added a second right before the break to double their advantage, as Bailey played a slick backheel to Jonathan Russell’s whose right-footed finish beat Archibald for a 2-0 lead.

The momentum stayed with Jamaica and soon it was 3-0 on a tidy finish from DiShon Bernard after a pass from Shamar Nicholson in the 49th minute.

Saint Kitts and Nevis did get a pair of good looks at goal during the contest from Romaine Sawyers, one in each half, but the Sugar Boyz’ attacking player was unable to convert.

Jamaica kept their foot on the gas, with twice as many shots on goal, and quickly netted twice more to make it a 5-0 lead. Daniel Johnson fired in one in the 72th after an initial block by substitute keeper Jamal Jeffers, followed by a good finish from Cory Burke in the 74th.

From there, the Jamaican defense saw things out the rest of the way to secure the clean sheet victory and a place in the next round.