Jamaica, who are appearing in the Copa America for the third time in their history, started their match in Group B against favorites Mexico, the match which was held at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas was tight.
Jamaica, who have never won a match during their participation in the Copa America competition, gave their best resistance against Mexico, who were Copa America runners-up in 1993, when they lost in the final to Argentina.
However, unfortunately the struggle of the Reggae Boyz troops coached by Icelandic coach Heimir Hallmsson was not good enough, they had to admit El Tri’s 1-0 lead through a goal from Gerardo Arteaga in the 69th minute.
Mexico immediately took control of the game from the moment the kickoff whistle was blown by referee Ismail Elfath (USA). Three minutes into the game, Mexico was already threatening Jamaica’s goal which was guarded by Jahmali Waite, the Jamaican defender’s poor clearance fell at the feet of Luis Chavez, luckily Chavez’s attempt was saved by Jakmania.
Mexico, who controlled the game, continued to try to attack the opponent’s defense by relying on counter-attacks, but there were no truly dangerous attacks from either team.
Mexico experienced bad luck, their mainstay player and team captain, Edson Alvarez, looked in pain after experiencing an accidental collision with Demarai Gray.
Alvarez apparently suffered a serious hamstring injury, which forced him out of the match and Luis Romo came on to replace him.
The loss of Alvarez, who plays an important role in Mexico’s midfield, slightly loosened the pressure on El Tri’s troops.
In the 37th minute, Jamaica created a good chance, Shamar Nicholson fired an attempt from a tight angle on the right which was directed into the top of the goal, forcing Julio Gonzalez to scramble to make a brilliant save and Bobby Decordova-Reid’s rebound attempt was blocked.
Photo: AP Photo (David J. Phillip)
Not long after, Mexico responded with a threat, a long-range shot from defender Cesar Montes, who was the team captain replacing Alvarez, still did not meet the target.
The referee gave six minutes of additional time, Luis Romo, who came on to replace Alvarez, had his first best chance, but his attempt at the left post went narrowly wide.
At the end of the first half, Cesar Montes had a good chance, unfortunately his header was too easily blocked by Jahmali Waite.
In the second half, Jamaica appeared different, they dared to play openly and took control of the game. Just one minute into the game, the Reggae Boyz threatened Mexico’s goal, Kasey Palmer fired a shot which was blocked by Julio Gonzalez, and Johan Vazquez cleared the wild ball which resulted in a corner kick for Jamaica.
Jamaica finally scored the opening goal five minutes into the second half, unfortunately the goal scored by West Ham United’s Michael Antonio with a beautiful header completing Dexter Lembikisa’s cross was disallowed by the referee, after a VAR review Antonio turned out to be in an offside position.
Mexico slowly began to regain control of the game, a brilliant save from Jahmali in the 57th minute which saved Luis Chavez’s hard shot which was slightly deflected, this was the best save made by the Jamaican goalkeeper who plays in the USL second division MLS with the El Paso Locomotive club
Three minutes later, Mexico opened another opportunity, Julian Quinones stormed into the Jamaican penalty area, but his shot went narrowly over the crossbar.
Santiago Gimenez almost opened his team’s lead, getting past Joel Latibeaudiere and firing a shot at goal from a tight angle but still couldn’t find Jahmali Waite’s goal.
Mexico’s corner fell to Gerardo Arteaga but his volley was saved by Waite who had a superb game. In the 66th minute, Julian Quinones’ chance was thwarted by Di’Shon Bernard who managed to block Quinones’ shot.
The goal that Mexican fans who had filled the stadium had been waiting for finally arrived, in the 69th minute of a chaos that could not be cleared properly, the ball fell at the feet of Gerardo Arteaga who fired a left footed rocket into the goal which this time could not be stopped. Jahmali.
It was the first international goal in more than two years for the 25-year-old with FC Monterrey.
In the last ten minutes Mexico controlled the game. Jahmali Waite had to make another save, albeit a simple one, when he blocked Julian Quinones’ long-range shot.
Jamaica used three minutes of added time to look for an equaliser, Dexter Lembikisa forced Julio Gonzalez to make an important save, by parrying the ball which resulted in a corner kick for Jamaica.
ASL
