A five-goal thriller effectively leaves the Reggae Boyz out of contention for qualification at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after Jamaica suffered a 3-2 defeat to Panama on Sunday (January 30).

It was the perfect start for the Reggae Boyz, Michail Antonio opened up the scoring in the fifth minute through a converted penalty.

The Panamanians, playing at home, piled on the pressure on the visiting Jamaicans, who, via an unfortunate own-goal by Javain Brown in the 43rd minute, set themselves back on level terms going into the second half.

The screws continued to tighten for Jamaica, as the deficit widened in the 51st minute and a possible return to the World Cup slipped further out of grasp when Eric Davis slammed his effort past Andre Blake.

Anibal Mello piled onto Jamaican woes in the 68th minute as Panama began cruising at 3-1.

In a game where the Reggae Boyz enjoyed only 36 per cent of possession, a last-minute push to reduce the Panamanian lead paid off dividends for striker Andre Gray.

However, with the final whistle blown at 3-2 and beaten for the sixth time, Jamaica remains on seven points in the CONCACAF octagon and third from the bottom of the table.