Mexico captain Edson Alvarez limps off the pitch in TEARS… with fears that the West Ham star’s Copa America could already be over after suffering a hamstring injury

Mexico’s captain Edson Alvarez suffered an injury that could end his Copa America  just as it got started, after going down with nobody near him during their opening clash with Jamaica. 

The West Ham United centre back went to ground in the 30th minute clutching his hamstring, before leaving the pitch in tears a short while after.

The Group B opening match in Houston was a scrappy affair, with the teams separated by just a single 69th-minute goal – a thunderbolt courtesy of Mexico left back, Gerardo Arteaga.

Alvarez’s West Ham teammate and Jamaica forward, Michail Antonio, actually believed he had opening the scoring, with a headed goal five minutes into the second half, but it was ruled offside by VAR. 

Mexico’s coaching staff are testing Alvarez’s fitness ahead of their next group game, which is against Venezuela on Thursday. 

Alvarez went down holding his hamstring in the 30th minute of Mexico’s match with Jamaica The incident left teammates looking concerned for their captain, before he left the pitch Alvarez limped off the pitch in visible distress – coaches will now sweat on his fitness

But given the distress it clearly cause Alvarez, it may not be a surprise if the injury was a tournament-ender.

If this is the case, it would be considerable blow to the national team, given Alvarez is on of the most-experienced and influential players within the squad.

Mexico coach Jaime Lozano, has not totally ruled out Alvarez’s tournament being over, saying staff will assess the situation. 

‘We’re going to wait a couple of days to do some testing on him and to know well what he’s got going on,’ Lozano said after the match.

‘He’s extremely important. He’s a leader, he understands the game well. He’s important on the pitch and in the locker room as well. 

‘You listen to him talk, he has a way with words and when he speaks you listen. This was a tough blow for all of us.’

West Ham United teammate, Michail Antonio (centre) thought he’d scored the game’s opener

Defender Cesar Montes echoed Lozano’s comments, underlining Alvarez’s importance to the team. ‘For the group he is the leader, a very important piece and it will be good to know his diagnosis in view of what is coming,’ he said.

The result moved Mexico, who are competing in their 11th Copa America, level on three points with Venezuela, who beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier in the day.

Source link : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/copa_america/article-13559767/amp/mexico-edson-alvarez-injury-copa-america.html

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Publish date : 2024-06-23 05:53:40

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