MIAMI.- The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Group C games with Suriname, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Costa Rica delivered some memorable moments. Here are the best five of the bunch.

Suriname’s debut

In their first ever Gold Cup appearance, Suriname not only scored their first Gold Cup goal, but also secured their first Gold Cup victory.

Promising striker Gleofilo Vlijter scored the team’s first-ever goal against Costa Rica, giving Suriname’s delegation a reason to celebrate like never before.

Vlijter, who was the top scorer in the 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League with 10 goals, then scored for a second time in the group stage finale against Guadeloupe, helping Suriname earn their first Gold Cup win in a 2-1 final.

Reid’s wondergoal steals the show

Jamaica striker Bobby Decordova-Reid left everyone at Exploria Stadium in Orlando Florida stunned with his wondergoal goal in Jamaica’s opening 2-0 win over Suriname.

In the 26th minute, a failed Suriname defense clearance rolled right to the feet of Reid, and without thinking twice, the striker blasted the ball into the net from just outside the 18-yard box, giving his team a 2-0 lead.

Borges reaches milestone

The 2021 Gold Cup marks the sixth edition in which Costa Rican midfielder Celso Borges has participated in the international tournament, and during this year’s tournament, the 33-year-old midfielder became the Costa Rican player with the most Gold Cup appearances, finishing the group stage with 24.

In Borges’ inaugural Gold Cup in 2009, he played in five games. In 2011, he added another four matches under his belt and two years later in 2013 he played in four more games. 2015 saw Borges compete in another four matches, and another four games in 2019 before his three games thus far in 2021.

Even at age 33 and with so many Gold Cup minutes played in his career, Borges remains a key figure for the Costa Rican team.

Guadeloupe’s fighting spirit

Despite Guadeloupe’s 2021 Gold Cup coming to a close in the group stage, the Caribbean side demonstrated grit and the ability to create goal-scoring plays, scoring one goal in each game played in Group C.

Having been away from the tournament since 2011, Les Gwada Boys showed in their Gold Cup return that they were a difficult opponent, holding a lead against Costa Rica and then being 11 minutes away from a draw against Suriname while playing with 10 men.

This year’s experience should benefit a team that is full of promise.

Coaches making a differences

All four coaches from Group C are ex-players themselves and took on the challenge of taking their teams to new levels.

Jamaican boss Theodore Whitmore has now guided the Reggae Boyz to the Gold Cup knockout rounds for the third consecutive time.

Suriname head coach Dean Gorre fulfilled the dream of many back home with the country scoring its first Gold Cup goal and winning its first Gold Cup match.

Colombia native Luis Fernando Suarez has been Costa Rica’s head coach for a little over a month and guided the Ticos to their first win in over a year and a perfect 3W-0D-0L record in the group stage.

Guadeloupe boss Jocelyn Angloma led Guadeloupe out of the Gold Cup Prelims by defeating Guatemala in a penalty shootout before the team’s very competitive group stage.