HOUSTON.- The Mexican soccer team opened the 2024 Copa América with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica, in a match that achieved its main objective: adding the three points.
The match took place before 54,000 spectators at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The only goal of the match came thanks to left back Gerardo Arteaga, who became the hero of the night by scoring the decisive goal.
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This goal was enough for México to take victory in its first match in Group B, which also includes Ecuador and Venezuela.
La Vinotinto leads the group after having defeated Ecuador 2-1 in their first match.
From the first minutes of the match, the Mexican team showed its intention to dominate the match.
Just in the 3rd minute, Luis Chávez made a powerful shot that the Jamaican goalkeeper, Jahmali Waite, managed to stop with one hand, marking the Tricolor’s first serious warning.
In the 15th minute, Santiago Giménez had a clear header opportunity, but his shot went slightly off course after a precise cross by Orbelín Pineda from a corner kick.
Edson Álvarez is injured in México’s Copa América match
However, the night brought bad news for México when their captain, Edson Álvarez, suffered an injury that forced him to leave the field in tears, leaving a significant void in the team.
Luis Romo came in his place, and although he tried to replace Álvarez’s leadership and ability, México felt the absence of its captain.
Despite the difficulties, the Mexican team continued to insist. Luis Romo had a clear opportunity towards the end of the first half, but his shot went wide.
The first half ended with México dominating but unable to convert its opportunities.
Jamaica puts pressure in the second half
The second half began with a renewed attitude from Jamaica, which, without making changes, reorganized its strategy and pushed hard.
This pressure almost paid off in the 49th minute when Michail Antonio managed to score taking advantage of a blunder on the part of the Mexican defense, especially Jorge Sánchez, but the VAR annulled the goal for offside, keeping the score scoreless.
México, shaking off the Caribbean pressure, making changes and improving its mentality, regained control of the game and continued to insistently seek the goal.
The reward came in the 68th minute when Gerardo Arteaga, from his left-back position, found the space and the opportunity to score a great goal. This goal was the result of a well-crafted play and a display of the offensive capacity that, although dispersed, the Mexican team possesses.
In the final minutes, Jamaica tried to equalize the score and came close to doing so with a powerful long-range shot by Dexter Lembikisa.
However, Mexican goalkeeper Julio González, who had an outstanding performance, dove to his left to make a crucial save, preserving the lead for México.
The 1-0 victory, although narrow and achieved with more suffering than necessary, is a good start for México in this Copa América.
México will seek leadership of its group
The next challenge for the Tricolor will be against Venezuela, on Wednesday, at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
This match is crucial, since both teams have three points and will fight for the lead in Group B. S
For their part, Jamaica and Ecuador will also face each other, but these two teams will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to the Allegiant Stadium to seek the three points that will bring them closer to eventual qualification for the next round.
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Source: Punto MX Redacción from Punto MX on 2024-06-22 21:43:08
