Mexico started their participation in the 2024 Copa América with a hard fought win over Jamaica by a 1-0 score. Mexico had a tough time against a well coached Jamaican side, but were the better team and were able to get the victory. The bad news for Mexico is that it seems they will lose captain and arguably best player in Edson Alvarez after leaving the match with an injury in the first half. Mexico will now travel to Los Angeles where they will face Group B leader Venezuela tonight, who defeated Ecuador by a 2-1 score.
The match started with Mexico coming out with what is probably their best starting 11 in the tournament while Jamaica came with a very offensive lineup, including starting with both Shamar Nicholson and Michail Antonio. A cross into the area was cleared into the path of Luis Chavez, who got off a low left footed shot that forced Jamaica’s goalkeeper, Jahmali Waite to make a good save. Mexico kept pressuring Jamaica and forcing them to stay in their area as they dominated the early minutes. After winning the ball in the area, Orbelin Pineda got a low cross in the area that Dexter Lembikisa just cleared before the ball got to Julian Quiñones, who would have had a tap in. A cross into the area found Santiago Gimenez, whose header went just wide. Off a free kick, a cross found Nicholson, whose header went just wide. A cross into the area was badly cleared by Mexico’s goalkeeper, Julio Gonzalez and the ball would fall to Lembikisa but his shot went straight to Gonzalez’s arms. Tragedy would strike for Mexico when off a counter attack, Edson Alvarez went running back and fell to the floor, grabbing the back of his leg. It looked to be a serious injury and Alvarez had to be taken out as he looked to have been badly injured and his tournament might be over. Mexico would sub in Luis Romo in his place. A cross from Antonio turned into a shot that forced Gonzalez to make a save. After a great combination play, Romo would get off a right footed shot that would go just slightly wide. The first half ended and although Mexico had been the better team, they still had a tie score although the injury to Edson, soured everything.
The second half started with both teams hoping to improve and get the key three points. A minute into the match, Kasey Palmer got off a right footed shot that should have been easily saved by Gonzalez, but he failed to control the ball and it had to be dangerously cleared. A cross towards Nicholson was just cleared by Johan Vasquez. In the ensuing play, a cross into the area was headed from close range by Antonio, past Gonzalez to score. After the celebrations, VAR correctly ruled that the play was offside and the goal was disallowed. After a cross into the area, Chavez got off a low shot that looked to have been possibly handled by a Jamaican defender but nothing was called. Chavez would later get off a good left footed shot from outside the area that forced Waite to make a great save. A good combination play ended with Quiñones getting a right footed shot that would go just wide . Chavez would get off another left footed shot from outside the area but this one was easily saved by Waite. After getting the ball in the area, Santiago Gimenez made a move and got off a right footed shot that forced Waite to make another save. Gerardo Arteaga got off a left footed shot from outside the area that forced Waite to make a good save. Quiñones got the ball in the area but a sliding tackle cleared the ball off his feet. Mexico subbed out Orbelin Pineda and Santiago Gimenez for Carlos Rodriguez and Guillermo Martinez. Jamaica subbed out Di’Shon Bernard and Demarai Gray for Michael Hector and Damion Lowe. Immediately after going in, a cross into the area found Martinez but his shot was saved by Waite. In the ensuing corner kick, the ball would eventually be crossed by Sanchez into the area, where it was cleared right into the path of Romo, Romo would find Gerardo Arteaga, who got off an incredible left footed shot from outside the area past Waite and into the net to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. It was a great shot from Arteaga to finally break thru the Jamaican defense. After getting the ball in the area, Chavez got off a cross that almost got deflected into his own net by Hector. Mexico subbed out Uriel Antuna and Luis Chavez for Roberto Alvarado and Erick Sanchez. Jamaica subbed out Michail Antonio and Bobby Reid for Renaldo Cephas and Kaheim DIxon. Romo got off a right footed shot from outside the area but it was easily saved by Waite. Lembikisa got off a right footed shot from outside the area that was well saved by Gonzalez. Mexico held on and got the victory and the key three points.
Mexico had to battle it out for the three points that places them in 2nd place of Group B with the same three points as Venezuela. It was tough and Mexico will suffer from losing Edson, but it was a key result as the win now has Mexico with three points. Mexico got the deserved result because although Jamaica had its moments, Mexico were the better side. After Jamaica had a good start in the second half and their disallowed goal, Mexico took control of the match and never let it go. They will have a much tougher match against Venezuela, in a match they must not lose, or things will get very complicated for them in the tournament.
Source link : https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/6/26/24184083/mexico-national-team-copa-america-2024-jamaica-match-summary-concacaf
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Publish date : 2024-06-26 13:10:00
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