In their Copa America opener, Mexico secured a 1-0 victory over Jamaica with a goal from Gerardo Arteaga in the 69th minute. The match, held at NRG Stadium in Houston, saw Arteaga scoring from the edge of the penalty area, marking his second goal in 25 international appearances.
El Tri, competing as a guest in South America's championship for the 11th time, displayed dominance throughout the game, culminating in Arteaga's left-footed shot that beat Jamaican goalkeeper Jahmali Waite and found the back of the net.
Despite Michail Antonio's apparent goal for Jamaica being disallowed for offside following a video review, Mexico's solid performance ultimately secured the win. Mexico captain Edson Álvarez had to leave the game in the 30th minute due to a left hamstring injury, with Luis Romo stepping in as his replacement.
In the other Group B match, Venezuela emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Ecuador. Mexico is set to face Venezuela in Inglewood, California, on Wednesday, while Jamaica will take on Ecuador in Las Vegas. The group stage will conclude on June 30, with Mexico playing against Ecuador in Glendale, Arizona, and Jamaica facing Venezuela in Austin, Texas.
Mexico, having reached the semifinals in 1997, 1999, and 2007, showcased their strength in the tournament opener. On the other hand, the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica have struggled in the Copa America, with a record of 0-7 and previous group-stage eliminations in 2015 and 2016.
The match drew a crowd of 53,763 at NRG Stadium, where Mexico sported red, green, and black jerseys inspired by folk art. Notably, Mexico has maintained an unbeaten record against Jamaica since their encounter in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal.
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