Jamaica defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in their inter-confederation playoff semi-final in Guadalajara, keeping alive hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Bailey Cadamarteri scored the decisive goal in the 18th minute, finishing from close range after New Caledonia’s keeper parried Ronaldo Webster’s free kick.
Georges Gope-Fenepej missed a key chance to equalize early in the second half. New Caledonia’s Rocky Nyikeine later denied Webster a second goal with a crucial stop.
Despite late pressure and vocal home-crowd support, New Caledonia failed to find the net. Jamaica now faces DR Congo for a place in World Cup Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.