Mexico’s Edson Alvarez grimaces in pain during a Copa America Group B match against Jamaica in Houston, Texas, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mexico took 69 minutes and was in multiple close calls before finally breaking through in the second half of their Copa America opener against Jamaica on Saturday night.
The goal came from an unlikely source: Gerardo Arteaga, who scored just his second goal in an El Tri uniform. For the packed, mostly Mexican crowd at NRG Stadium in Houston, it didn’t matter where it came from, but that it finally came after tragedy had struck the team in the first half.
El Tri’s best player, Edson Alvarez, went down with a non-contact injury 27 minutes into the game. He lay on the turf clutching his hamstring and writhing in pain. A stretcher was brought in for the West Ham midfielder, clearly in distress, but two trainers instead carried him off the pitch. He did not return and his future is unclear.
What was clear was the emotional impact on the team and the packed crowd of El Tri supporters: Losing a player of such calibre as Alvarez was a blow to Mexico, and the energy of the crowd seemed to wane after seeing arguably their best player being carried off the pitch in tears.
The second half began after a longer than usual delay. El Tri’s slow emergence from the dressing room continued into the second half, but a goal disallowed for Jamaica in the 57th minute turned the tide. Shortly after, Mexico fired shot after shot at Jamali Waite, the leading man-of-the-match candidate replacing Andre Blake, but Arteaga smashed the ball into the side netting from 20 yards out.
The celebrations continued, El Tri won 1-0, and Mexico must wait for news of their injured captain.
Here’s how the entire group stage match between Mexico and Jamaica unfolded in real time.
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End of match: Mexico wins 1-0
It wasn’t always a pretty game, and it was a real shock when Edson Alvarez left the field in tears after suffering an injury in the first half.
But Mexico fought back well and scored a well-deserved goal to hold on to the three points.
Assuming Edson’s injury is somewhat serious, I have mixed feelings but they’ll get the three points.
Mexico is trying hard…
Jamaica are pushing for an equaliser, and Julio Gonzalez makes a good diving save on the left wing, but the pressure is still on, and we’re heading into added time.
Attendance: 53,763
If the tickets were priced right, they would have sold out without a doubt, and they should.
Goal Mexico!
Gerardo Arteaga took the shot with the cleanest first touch possible and smashed it into the side netting from 20 yards out.
That’s a great goal.
Fans were excited.
A shower of celebratory beer falls all around.
It was coming!
68′ Substitution
For Mexico, Guillermo Martinez replaced Santiago Jimenez and Carlos Rodriguez replaced Orbelin Pineda, while for Jamaica, Damion Lowe replaced Demarai Gray and Michael Hector replaced Dishon Bernard.
And another chance for Mexico!
This time it was Jimenez who played the pass. He found the charging forward Julián Quiñones. Quiñones took two excellent touches inside the box, but the Jamaican defender recovered and made a superb final block.
This is probably the best chance we have had so far in this match.
Mexico Chance!
Santi Jimenez was energized, he lowered his shoulders, did everything right and fired a shot with his right foot into the top of the net.
However, Jamaican goalkeeper Jamali Waite reacted extremely well, catching the ball with both hands.
That iconic sequence from earlier…
Mexico played well defensively, taking some of the pressure off Jamaica, and the fans started chanting “Ole!”
However, as they tried to advance through the wing to the last line, a simple passing error thwarted their attacking move.
0-0, 63 minutes in.
Jamaica looks dangerous on attack
The game opened up a little more and Jamaica started to find ways to counter-attack, something they hadn’t done in the first half.
It feels like a goal is approaching, the question is, which goal?
Now Mexico is crying out for penalties…
A Jamaican player appeared to block a shot at the top of the box with his back arm.
However, the referee ordered play to continue and VAR refused to intervene.
52′ No goal due to VAR decision
Michail Antonio was ruled offside.
Jamaica’s goal ruled out by VAR
Michail Antonio scored from a free header behind the post, although he was unmarked, which may have been because he was offside.
After a VAR check, the goal was disallowed.
But Mexico has been unstable, and Jamaica has started the second half well.
Sailing Again
Jamaica had the first chance in the first minute of the second half, when Mexico goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez deflected what looked like an easy shot.
It’s eerily quiet here.
Second half begins
The 2024 Copa America resumed after another lengthy halftime break.
Halftime. 0-0.
fed up.
Mexican fans erupted in a mix of applause and boos.
The happier of the two teams is probably Venezuela, who beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier this evening and are currently the favourites to win the group.
45+1 Romo narrowly misses the target
Mexico’s reaction to Alvarez’s injury…
So far so good. El Tri has great defensive transitions, and Jamaica (partly due to their own sloppiness) can’t get the ball out of the way.
But right now, neither team has enough offensive firepower to create meaningful chances.
Halftime is approaching and it’s still 0-0.
Alvarez’s departure is a big loss for Mexico
When Alvarez reached the sideline, the entire Mexico bench rose to console him.
His presence, composure on the ball, his passing, his defensive solidity – he’s a huge asset to this team.
It will be really tough for El Tri to advance in this tournament without him.
30 minutes substitution
Edson Alvarez was led off the pitch in tears and replaced by Luis Romo.
