In a Concacaf Gold Cup 2025 Group C match held on June 24, 2025, Jamaica faced Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin. Panama emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline, but a notable moment for the Reggae Boyz came when Amari'i Bell scored to reduce Panama's lead to 2-1 in the 27th minute.
The match began with Panama asserting dominance. Ismael Diaz scored the opening goal in the 4th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box, assisted by Cristian Martínez following a corner. Diaz's shot was deflected by Leon Bailey, wrong-footing the Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake. Panama maintained control, enjoying nearly 80% of ball possession in the first half, which translated to attacking pressure that Jamaica struggled to contain.
However, Jamaica found a response in the 27th minute. Dexter Lembikisa delivered a precise cross from the right flank, and Amari'i Bell rose above his marker to head the ball into the net. This goal, assisted by Jorge Gutiérrez, reduced Panama's lead and injected hope into the Jamaican side.
Despite Bell's goal, Panama quickly restored their two-goal advantage. Ismael Diaz scored again, securing his hat-trick later in the match, with his final goal coming from a penalty. A late penalty was claimed by Jamaica but it was waved off after a VAR review. The match ended with a 3-1 victory for Panama.
Amari'i Bell, born on May 5, 1994, is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League One club Luton Town and the Jamaica national team. Bell's career has seen him play for several clubs, including Birmingham City, Nuneaton Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Mansfield Town, Swindon Town, Gillingham, Fleetwood Town, and Blackburn Rovers. He joined Luton Town in 2021 and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2023. He has 27 appearances for the Jamaica national team, including representation at the 2021 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 2024 Copa América.
The match was crucial for both teams in Group C of the Concacaf Gold Cup 2025. Panama needed only a draw to progress to the next stage. With the win, Panama took a big step towards advancing in the tournament.
