During their initial Copa America match at NRG Stadium, Mexico edged out Jamaica with a razor-thin 1-0 victory. However, the triumph was overshadowed by concerns over the health of their captain, Edson Alvarez.
In his 80th international cap, the West Ham pivot exited the match only half an hour in, his dismay evident as he trudged off the field.
Michail Antonio, a teammate of Alvarez at the club level, believed he had netched Jamaica’s inaugural Copa America goal early in the second stanza, only for VAR to negate the strike.
Yet, Mexico rebounded from this setback, prompting a series of impressive stops from keeper Jahmali Waite until Gerardo Arteaga clinched victory with a stellar goal.
The win placed Mexico neck and neck with Venezuela, each amassing three points after the latter’s earlier 2-1 win over Ecuador in Group B. Post-match, the spotlight swiftly shifted to Alvarez’s condition.
“In the next few days, we’ll initiate some tests to precisely assess his situation,” coach Jaime Lozano stated post-game.
“His role is critical. He’s not just a strategic player but a charismatic locker room presence.”
“His words carry weight. It devastates us to see him hurt,” Lozano added.
Defender Cesar Montes remarked, “Launching our campaign with a win was crucial, maintaining focus and solidarity, but the sour note was Edson’s injury. We’re hopeful it’s minor, so he can rejoin us.”
He continued, “These instances are tricky. The medics will evaluate if he can continue the journey with us in the tournament. He’s a vital cog for us, and understanding his medical outlook is paramount.”
Next up, Jamaica tackles Ecuador in Las Vegas on Wednesday, while Mexico squares off against Venezuela in California the following Thursday.
