Thierry Ambrose ignited the Guadeloupe vs. Jamaica match in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a stunning goal, giving his team a 1-0 lead. The Group C encounter, held at PayPal Park in San Jose, California on June 21, 2025, saw both teams desperately seeking their first points after suffering defeats in their opening matches of the tournament.
Jamaica, known as the "Reggae Boyz," were looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 loss to Guatemala. Meanwhile, Guadeloupe aimed to recover from a heavy 5-2 defeat against Panama, where Jordan Leborgne and Florian David managed to find the net.
The match began with Jamaica dominating possession, but Guadeloupe's physical play disrupted their rhythm. Early in the game, Ambrose received a yellow card for a tough tackle, signaling the intensity of the contest. Then, against the run of play, Guadeloupe struck. A quick free-kick was awarded, and Cadiou delivered a precise pass to Thierry Ambrose. Ambrose, displaying remarkable composure, finished with a first-time strike that found the far corner of the net, sending Guadeloupe into a surprising lead.
Thierry Winston Jordan Ambrose, born on March 28, 1997, in Sens, France, plays as a forward for Belgian club Kortrijk. He also represents the Guadeloupe national team. Ambrose's journey in football includes time with the French youth national teams before choosing to represent Guadeloupe, the country of his descent. He debuted for Guadeloupe in a friendly match against Cape Verde on March 23, 2022.
Before joining Kortrijk, Ambrose played for KV Oostende and Metz, among other clubs. His career has been marked by periods of success, including a loan spell at NAC Breda where he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances. He signed a four-year contract with Kortrijk on August 15, 2023, but faced an unfortunate Achilles tendon rupture shortly after.
Jamaica, determined to equalize, intensified their pressure as halftime approached. Their efforts paid off when Bailey scored in the 41st minute. A well-placed lobbed ball found Brown, who passed it to Bailey. The winger, left unmarked by the Guadeloupe defense, calmly finished with his left foot, leveling the score. Just before the halftime whistle, Jonathan Russell added another goal for Jamaica, capitalizing on a cross from Gray to give the Reggae Boyz a 2-1 lead.
The goal by Ambrose was a testament to his skill and ability to seize opportunities, providing Guadeloupe with a crucial advantage, albeit one they couldn't maintain through the end of the first half. The match between Jamaica and Guadeloupe highlights the fierce competition and unexpected moments that make the CONCACAF Gold Cup a compelling tournament.