The Jamaican Dexter Lembikisa is marked by the Mexican Gerardo Arteaga, in this Saturday’s match between his teams, for the Copa América. EFE/EPA/LESLIE PLAZA JOHNSON
Photo: EFE – LESLIE PLAZA JOHNSON
Much more even than expected was the first day of Group B of the Copa América, in which Venezuela gave the surprise by defeating Ecuador in Santa Clara, while Mexico suffered to beat Jamaica, although it lost its captain and figure, Edson Álvarez.
At the NRG Stadium in Houston, where Colombia will face Paraguay this Monday, June 24, the Mexican team defeated Jamaica 1-0, at the close of the first day of group B of the Copa América in the United States 2024, in a match in which El Tri improved in the second half and the Reggae Boyz maintain the negative record of not having scored or added a single point in 7 matches in the tournament.
In the first half, Mexico lost its captain Edson Álvarez due to injury in the 30th minute, who left the field crying and his football was lost amid concern about Álvarez’s injury and the desire to score against the Jamaicans.
The doctors of the Aztec team will wait for the medical examinations to determine the severity of the player’s injury, although due to his gestures and the immediate attention they gave him, the prognoses are not optimistic.
For the second half, Mexico improved and in the 69th minute Gerardo Arteaga shot the Jamaican goalkeeper, Jahmali Waite, who was responsible for ensuring that the score in favor of the Americans was not greater, and made the final score 1-0.
Of course, before, Michail Antonio had scored with a header for the Jamaicans, although the referee annulled the score after being warned by the VAR because the striker was offside. Thus, Jamaica continues to score goals in its participation in the continental tournament.
Venezuela, with one more man on the field for more than 70 minutes due to the expulsion of Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia, took the three points thanks to the goals of Jhonder Cadiz and Eduar Bello, with which they overcame an initial goal by Jeremy Sarmiento .
With these results, Venezuela and Mexico have three points each, while Jamaica and Ecuador do not add. Next Wednesday Jamaica will face Ecuador at 5:00 pm, while Mexico will face Venezuela, starting at 8:00 pm.
