HOUSTON (AP) — Gerardo Arteaga scored from the sting of the penalty space within the 69th minute and Mexico beat Jamaica 1-0 on Saturday evening in its Copa America opener.
Competing as a visitor in South America’s championship for the eleventh time, Mexico dominated the match and scored on its seventeenth shot.
Joel Latibeaudiere’s weak headed clearance went to Luis Romo, who managed the ball off a thigh and handed to Arteaga. His left-foot shot beat goalkeeper Jahmali Waite and went contained in the far publish for his second purpose in 25 worldwide appearances.
“The thought was to empower some gamers who have been known as earlier than however didn’t have the minutes to shine,” Mexico coach Jaime Lozano stated by means of an interpreter. “Immediately was Arteaga’s flip, however we have now a set of different gamers who’re including minutes on the prime stage. That’s what we had in thoughts once we made the roster.”
Michail Antonio appeared to place Jamaica forward with a short-range header within the fiftieth minute however the purpose was disallowed for offside following a video evaluate.
“A fraction offside,” Jamaica coach Heimir Hallgrímsson stated. “I’ve seen it once more, and it was appropriate.”
Mexico captain Edson Álvarez left within the thirtieth minute following a left hamstring harm and was changed by Romo.
“Relating to Edson, we’re going to wait,” Lozano stated. “He’s going to see what he has and take some pictures. We don’t wish to danger it. He felt one thing in his leg.”
Lozano stated it was going to be a pair days earlier than they might know the severity of the harm.
“I feel it has been our motto for this summer time – collectively and unity,” Lozano stated. “It’s not straightforward to beat your captain being faraway from the sector, however I felt they responded quick. We suffered a bit greater than we wanted to undergo.”
Lozano stated the turf didn’t play an element within the recreation.
Venezuela beat Ecuador 2-1 within the different Group B match. Mexico performs Venezuela at Inglewood, California, on Wednesday, when Jamaica faces Ecuador at Las Vegas. The group finishes on June 30, when Mexico performs Ecuador at Glendale, Arizona, and Jamaica faces Venezuela at Austin, Texas.
El Tri reached the semifinals in 1997, 1999 and 2007. The Reggae Boyz are 0-7 within the match following group-stage elimination in 2015 and 2016.
“We fought till the top,” Hallgrímsson stated. “I’m pleased with the gamers. We gave them a troublesome match, and in the long run, I hoped, and I believed we deserved to attain one, get one thing out of this recreation. … Total, fairly pleased with how the sport performed out. In fact, sad with dropping.”
Earlier than a crowd of 53,763 at NRG Stadium, Mexico wore pink, inexperienced and black jerseys patterned after people artwork.
El Tri has not misplaced to Jamaica since a 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal.
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