Reggae Girlz split with Paraguay in pair of World Cup tuneups

The Women’s World Cup-bound Reggae Girlz split their two-game friendly series with Paraguay across three days in their latest tuneups for next summer’s tournament.

Jamaica won the first of their home friendlies against their potential World Cup group opponents in dramatic fashion on Thursday. Central defender, Allyson Swaby, headed home the winner in the 90th minute in front of a hyped crowd at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. It was a deserved victory for the Girlz who largely controlled the contest.

The Girlz also controlled much of the play when the sides met Sunday night at the National Stadium in Kingston. However, Paraguay got the better of the Jamaicans this time. First-half strikes by Fabiola Sandoval and Ramona Martinez helped the South Americans to a 2-1 win.

Jamaica’s all-time leading goal scorer in international competition and the FA WSL’s top scorer, Khadija Shaw, got their lone goal with a 64th-minute penalty. It was Bunny’s 56th goal for Jamaica in 39 caps.

Meanwhile, the Reggae Girlz could play Paraguay again at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Paraguay is in an intercontinental playoff group including Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea and Panama. Should they win it, they will join Jamaica, France and Brazil in Group F.

The next Women’s World Cup kicks off in Oceania on July 20.

Below are highlights from the first friendly.