Edson Alvarez injury a huge blow for Mexico, says coach Jaime Lozano

HOUSTON – Mexico scraped a 1-0 win over Jamaica in their Copa America opener on June 22, but their joy at making a winning start was tempered by what appeared to be a potentially tournament-ending injury to captain Edson Alvarez.

The West Ham United midfielder, 26, collapsed while clutching his hamstring in the 30th minute and limped off the pitch in tears in the Group B match at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

“We’re going to wait a couple of days to do some tests on him and to know well what he’s got going on,” Mexico coach Jaime Lozano said.

“This is a tough blow for all of us.”

Jamaica, who are ranked 38 places below world No. 15 Mexico, thought they had scored when Alvarez’s West Ham teammate Michail Antonio headed into the net five minutes into the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.

That let-off woke up the Mexicans who pushed forward with greater purpose. Luis Chavez forced a good save out of Jamaica goalkeeper Jahmali Waite and Julian Quinones fired over the bar after cutting in from the left.

Waite was alert again to keep out a Santiago Gimenez effort, but Mexico got the breakthrough in the 69th minute when the ball fell to Gerardo Arteaga on the edge of the box and he blasted a half-volley into the far corner.

Jamaica had one last opportunity to salvage a point, but Dexter Lembikisa’s low shot was turned round the post by Mexico goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez.

Arteaga said Antonio’s disallowed goal had given Mexico the impetus to seize victory.

“A goal, whether for or against, changes your mood a lot. And seeing that it had been disallowed, that also lifted us a little bit more to keep looking for the goal ourselves,” the left-back told Mexican sports channel TUDN.

In the other Group B match at the Levi’s Stadium in California, substitutes Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello scored to help Venezuela come from behind to beat 10-man Ecuador 2-1.

Ecuador lost captain Enner Valencia to a red card in the 22nd minute for striking Venezuela defender Jose Martinez’s chest with his boot while challenging for a high ball.

But Jeremy Sarmiento smashed home in the 40th minute to put them in front.

Venezuela coach Fernando Batista then brought on Cadiz and Bello at half-time and they struck in the 64th and 74th minutes respectively to claim victory.

Another Argentinian coach, veteran Marcelo Bielsa, will be hoping that his Uruguay team’s recent improvement can extend into the continental competition.

They open their Group C campaign against Panama at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 22 (June 23, Singapore time), with the United States facing Bolivia in Arlington, Texas, in the group’s other match.

Under Bielsa, Uruguay overcame Argentina 2-0 and Brazil 2-0 in the World Cup qualifiers in 2023 and beat Mexico 4-0 in a friendly earlier in June.

“It’s a new episode and we are looking forward to showing the level we are capable of,” said the 68-year-old, who has been integrating new blood with his squad’s veterans such as 37-year-old striker Luis Suarez.

The US are upbeat, with midfielder Yunus Musah saying a friendly 1-1 draw with Brazil showed the hosts have what it takes to go the distance. REUTERS, AFP