During Saturday’s day, group B of the Copa America 2024. The star turn went to Mexico, which plays as a “local” in the United States. The Aztecs’ debut was complex but on the right foot, when it comes to results. At the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, they defeated Jamaica 1-0. It was the Tri’s revival in the competition, after its elimination with Chile in the 2016 Centenario (7-0).
The panorama of Mexico was not simple, because His coach Jaime Lozano arrived with a series of questions (both from the fans and from the always acidic local press) for the team’s performance in the last matches (before the Cup they lost to Uruguay and Brazil) and for leaving out some references such as Memo Ochoa and Hirving Lozano. In the case of the Reggae Boyz, it is their third participation in this Conmebol tournament, in which they have never won and without goals scored (the trend continues). He entered the scene without Leon Bailey, his figure who plays for Aston Villa, because he left the appointment.
During the first half, Mexico was always closer than its rival, without showing consistent superiority on the field. The first option was a left foot shot by Chávez, in the 3′, controlled by goalkeeper Waite. The Jamaicans were somewhat naive in the brand. Their main method of attack was to appeal to the power of Michail Antonio, the West Ham centre-forward. When they recovered, they sent balls in search of the 9, who managed to complicate things for the defenders.
The headache for “Jimmy” Lozano was the injury to Edson Álvarez, one of his most valued values. The central midfielder was injured before half an hour, visibly affected. On the edge of half-time, a shot by Romo went wide, creating little risk in the Central Americans’ area.
In the complement, Jamaica started better. In fact, Antonio scored with a header, however the goal was annulled after the VAR review due to the striker’s offside. The Mexicans entered the second period somewhat sleepy. After the disallowed goal, they woke up and showed improvement. He searched without much clarity, as happened with the deflected shot of the Colombian nationalized Mexican Julián Quiñónes, in the 60’s.
It was difficult, but it was 1-0. In the 69th minute, left back Gerardo Arteaga opened the scoring for El Tri, with a left foot shot from the entrance of the area after a pass from Luis Romo, who replaced the injured Álvarez. This action ended up being the one that tipped the balance. Mexico, which had nothing left over, ended up boxed in their goal against the Jamaican attacks, with more strength than technique.
The result allows the Aztecs to remain with three points in group B, along with Venezuela, which beat Ecuador in the first round. On the next day, precisely El Tri will face Vinotinto, on Wednesday the 26th in Inglewood. On the same day, Ecuador will clash against Jamaica, in Las Vegas.
