Michail Antonio played a crucial role in Jamaica’s 2-1 triumph over Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League on Tuesday night. But possibly most importantly for Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui, the striker will return back to England without an injury.
It’s quite normal for Irons fans to hold their breath when international football is in progress. Following the injury sustained by Niclas Fullkrug, The Hammers head coach will breathe a huge sigh of relieve to see Antonio available for the Premier League match against Fulham.
The West Ham United forward earned and converted a decisive penalty with 14 minutes left, sealing a valuable away win for the Reggae Boyz at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa.
Honduras had the upper hand early on, but Antonio nearly broke the deadlock with a low left-footed strike that narrowly missed the far post.
Jamaica finally took the lead four minutes into the second half when a cross from Norman Campbell was inadvertently turned into the net by Honduran defender Denil Maldonado.
However, Honduras quickly responded, equalizing just 90 seconds later when David Ruiz poked a shot past Andre Blake into the bottom right corner.
In the 75th minute, Antonio latched onto a through ball and was brought down by Honduran goalkeeper Luis López. Referee Víctor Alfonso Cáceres Hernández pointed to the spot, and Antonio calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner, silencing the home crowd. It marked his fifth goal in 20 appearances for Jamaica.
With the victory, Jamaica now sits atop Group B of Nations League A with four points from two matches, leading on goal difference. Nicaragua is second, while Honduras trails by a point. Cuba, French Guiana, and Trinidad and Tobago round out the six-team group, with the top two advancing to the quarterfinals.