Mexico vs. Jamaica score, result from Copa America 2024: Arteaga rocket wins it but El Tri lose captain Alvarez

Kyle Bonn

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Mexico vs. Jamaica score, result from Copa America 2024: Arteaga rocket wins it but El Tri lose captain Alvarez image

While the match wasn’t pretty by any stretch, Mexico began their 2024 Copa America group stage slate with a three-point effort, skating past Jamaica 1-0 on a 69th minute goal from Gerardo Arteaga.

El Tri were hounded for much of the game by the pesky Reggae Boyz. Jamaica seemed to take a one-goal lead early in the second half on a header from Michail Antonio, but the strike was ruled offside after VAR review.

That scare seemed to wake up the Mexican side, which put together its best 15-minute spell of the match, capped by Arteaga’s rocket.

Jamaica threw it all forward over the final 10 minutes but were unable to secure a breakthrough as El Tri closed out the gutsy win. Still, fans will want better performances to come as the Mexico buildup lacked creativity for much of the match.

The win also came with a brutal setback for the winning squad, as West Ham midfielder and El Tri captain Edson Alvarez went down in the first half with what appeared to be a serious non-contact injury.

The Sporting News followed Mexico vs. Jamaica live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE | Who will win Copa America 2024? Latest odds and predictions | How to watch all the Copa America action

Mexico vs. Jamaica final score

 ScoreGoal scorers
Mexico1Arteaga (69')
Jamaica0 

Venue: NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)

Starting lineups:

Mexico (4-3-3): 12. J. Gonzalez (GK) — 19. J. Sanchez, 3. Montes, 5. J. Vasquez, 6. Arteaga — 17. Pineda (C. Rodriguez, 67'), 4. E. Alvarez (Romo, 29'), 24. L. Chavez (E. Sanchez, 78') — 15. Antuna (Alvarado, 78'), 11. Gimenez (G. Martinez, 67'), 9. Quinones.

Jamaica (5-3-2): 23. Waite (GK) — 2. Lembiska, 6. Bernard (Hector, 68'), 15. Latibeaudiere, 5. Pinnock, 22. Leigh — 10. Decordova-Reid, 14. Palmer (Cephas, 81'), 7. Gray (Lowe, 68') — 11. Nicholson, 9. Antonio (Dixon, 81').

MORE: Euro 2024: Food fights take over tournament

Mexico vs. Jamaica live updates, highlights from Euro 2024

FULLTIME: Mexico 1-0 Jamaica

It didn't come with glitz or glamor, but Mexico have secured a very quality victory here by beating a talented and plucky Jamaica side.

The likely loss of Edson Alvarez is a body blow for El Tri, but they showed defensive strength and mental fortitude to snatch the three points here in a situation where they've often withered to disappointing results.

Mexico vs. Jamaica stats

MexicoStatJamaica
20Shots13
9Shots on target4
1.00 xGExpected goals0.52 xG
62%Possession38%
429Accurate passes233
7Corners6
8Fouls7
0Yellow cards0

Mexico vs. Jamaica: Second Half

90th min: Three added minutes are shown. Dexter Lembikisa forces a strong save by Julio Gonzalez who parries the ball out for a corner after taking a slight deflection. Jamaica take the corner short but the eventual delivery is cleared.

The Reggae Boyz have been great the last 10 minutes, but have not created any true opportunities on net. Can Mexico hang on?

87th min: 19-year-old Kaheim Dixon, who's highly rated within the Jamaica camp, has brought a ton of energy to the match off the bench, but both he and fellow substitute Renaldo Cephas fire wasteful efforts into Row Z. The Jamaican finishing has been extremely poor in this match, especially down the stretch.

84th min: Shamar Nicholson wins a free-kick about 25 yards from goal as Erick Sanchez concedes a soft foul. It'll be Nicholson to stand over the ball but he never had the goal in sight, skying his effort into the Houston night sky. Not even remotely close.

82nd min: Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson can be heard screaming for his team to press higher up the pitch and attempt to win the ball back. They can't afford to be conservative now! El Tri have not conceded their grip on this match, and the Reggae Boyz will need to break their chokehold on possession.

76th min: Mexico are keeping the pressure on as Jamaica are fading. Jahmali Waite has to make another stop, albeit an elementary one, as he smothers a long-range effort by Julian Quinones.

Mexico make their final two substitutions as Luis Chavez and Uriel Antuna are replaced by Erick Sanchez and Roberto Alvarado. Jamaica respond with a pair of attacking subs, bringing on Renaldo Cephas and Kaheim Dixon for Micail Antonio and Bobby Decordova-Reid. Final 10 minutes of breathless football upcoming, as both sides search for the all-important next goal!

69th min: GOAL! MEXICO! EL TRI FINALLY BREAK THROUGH! Straight off the restart from the substitutions, Jahmali Waite is required again as he awkwardly pushes an entry feed into the box clear. He can't keep out the follow-up though as Gerardo Arteaga crashes a left-footed howitzer into the back of the net!

He walloped it for his first international goal in over two years! It absolutely had been coming, as Jamaica had seen their control over the match slip significantly, under a ton of pressure.

66th min: Chance, Mexico! Julian Quinones appears to be through on goal after skipping by Dexter Lembikisa, but Di'Shon Bernard gets his foot in on the shot for a necessary and heroic block! El Tri are pouring on the pressure! Can they find the long-awaited breakthrough?

Both teams will make a pair of changes, as Mexico haul off Santiago Gimenez alongside Orbelin Pineda, with Carlos Rodriguez and Guillermo Martinez. Jamaica recall Demarai Gray and Di'Shon Bernard as Michael Hector and Damion Lowe come on.

64th min: Chance, Mexico! Santiago Gimenez finally gets a look on goal as he cuts vertically past Joel Latibeaudiere and fires on goal from a tight angle but can't beat Jahmali Waite! The corner flies over the penalty area and falls to Gerardo Arteaga but his volley is saved by Waite and kept in play to avoid conceding another corner. The Jamaican goalkeeper is having a wonderful match in net!

60th min: Chance, Mexico! Julian Quinones fires just high! He marauds into the Jamaica penalty area and rips one with his right but slams it over the crossbar. The chances are coming thick and fast on both ends now!

57th min: Chance, Mexico! WHAT A SAVE by Jahmali Waite who manages to tip a shot by Luis Chavez clear in full stretch after it took a slight deflection on its way through! That's a top-drawer stop by the Jamaica goalkeeper!

55th min: Chance, Mexico! El Tri are screaming for a handball after an effort by Luis Chavez hits the body of Di'Shon on its way through, but no call from Ismael Elfath! The replay shows there's nothing in it, as it hits the leg of Bernard first before he falls onto the ball inadvertently.

The match is starting to open up, with the disallowed Jamaica goal breathing some life into the game!

50th min: Chance, Jamaica! Michael Antonio heads Jamaica deservingly in front!!!! It comes off Jamaica's best move forward of the match, and from deep on the right touchline, Dexter Lembikisa delivers an absolutely brilliant cross over the head of Johan Vazquez right on a platter for the West Ham striker to bury the opportunity!

BUT NO! After a long review, the goal is chalked off as Antonio was just a fraction offside! What a bailout for Mexico!

46th min: Chance, Jamaica! The Reggae Boyz force a save of Julio Gonzalez just seconds from the kickoff! Kasey Palmer crashes onto a bobbling ball at the top of the penalty area, and the Mexican goalkeeper doesn't make a clean save, forcing Johan Vazquez to hoof it out of play for a Jamaica corner.

Kickoff: They're back under way for the second half still looking for the first goal in Houston.

HALFTIME: Mexico 0-0 Jamaica

Ismael Elfath blows his halftime whistle after having an animated conversation with Santiago Gimenez and Di'Shon Bernard. The Reggae Boyz have executed their gameplan nearly to perfection, frustrating the Mexico buildup and keeping Gimenez quiet.

The boos rain down on El Tri as the players head to the tunnel, the first real energy from the pro-Mexico Houston crowd across the entire first half. Mexico have been completely unable to break down Jamaica's 5-3-2.

The injury to Edson Alvarez is the clear talking point of the first half, as the Mexico midfielder is likely set for a long spell on the sidelines if his body language is to be believed.

Mexico vs. Jamaica: First Half

45+5 min: Cesar Montes gets his head to a corner and puts it on target but it's far too close to Jahmali Waite and he makes the simple catch.

45+1 min: Chance, Mexico! With six minutes of added time shown, Luis Romo aims for the inside of the far post from the top of the penalty area but fires just wide! It's Mexico's first quality opportunity for quite some time, holding the vast majority of possession over the last 10 minutes but failing to do much with it until then.

Jamaica appear more than happy to force El Tri into pinging long balls into the penalty area. The chance for Romo comes from Mexico looking to build and dribble into the attacking third rather than lumping it forward, but those openings have been few and far between.

43rd min: Mexico log just their fourth shot of the half, a 40-yard blast from defender Cesar Montes who doesn't miss by much with what is, in the end, a highly ambitious effort. Even with as close as he came, it's not what Mexico will be looking for in the attack. They look frustrated.

37th min: Chance, Jamaica! Shamar Nicholson forces an awkward but effective punched save from Julio Gonzalez! The effort from a tight angle down the right is redirected towards the top of the penalty area, and the follow-up from Bobby Decordova-Reid is blocked away.

Mexico look a bit stunned from the injury to Edson Alvarez, they haven't quite gotten their mojo back.

35th min: This match had a lot of spunk through the first half-hour, but the Alvarez injury has totally sapped the game of its energy. Mexico waste a free-kick as Luis Chavez blasts one straight into the wall, with Shamar Nicholson getting the block.

26th min: Edson Alvarez is down in a ton of pain. He will be done for the evening and could be done for the summer as well, as it looks very bad. While tracking back, he may have been inadvertently clipped — barely — on his heel or leg by Demarai Gray who had no idea the Mexican midfielder was even there. This could be a very bad hamstring or Achilles injury for the West Ham midfielder.

Luis Romo comes on to replace him. We hope Alvarez has a speedy recovery, but he has the look of a man who knows he's going to be out for a significant period of time.

21st min: Oh wow, before play restarts from the last opportunity, Nicholson goes down to the turf in a daze, possibly with a head injury from the aerial duel on the missed chance. There's some concern as the medical staff rushes onto the field. He appears to have avoided anything more serious, but he's clearly in a fog while laying on his back and being tended to.

Nicholson eventually climbs to his feet and walks off the pitch to get attention on the touchline.

20th min: Chance, Jamaica! Brilliant work by Michail Antonio to somehow maintain possession while being hounded by two Mexican defenders on the right wing. He eventually wins a foul to secure his side a set-piece in the attacking third way out wide near the touchline.

It's swung in by Bobby Decordova-Reid and falls right on the head of Shamar Nicholson, who was positioned perfectly between the two Mexican center-backs. He flashes it wide of the far post! Nicholson slams the turf in frustration.

14th min: Mexico come close to creating a scoring chance as a cross from Orbelin Pineda nearly falls to Julian Quinones on the doorstep, but Dexter Lembikisa stepped in front just before it got to the El Tri forward to clear it out for a corner.

Mexico play it short before Pineda again whips a dangerous cross in, and this time it meets the head of Santi Gimenez at the near post but he can't turn it on frame, missing wide of the woodwork. Mexico are pushing hard here and have Jamaica pinned back.

10th min: Jamaica win a corner as Cesar Montes awkwardly heads a cross over the end line from quite a ways out from his own goal. He probably had a few other options but played it safety first. The cross is wasted by Bobby Decordova-Reid as he curls it over everyone's head and out of play. Was he maybe trying for an Olimpico?

5th min: Jamaica get down the other end for the first time and Shamar Nicholson goes for the spectacular, getting his boot to an acrobatic bicycle kick but skies it miles over the crossbar.

4th min: Chance, Mexico! It's been all El Tri so far, and an awful clearance falls right to Luis Chavez who forces a good save by Jahmali Waite! The Jamaican goalkeeper goes down and to his right to stop the scuffed effort.

Kickoff: They're under way at NRG Stadium in Houston! Venezuela have the early lead in Group B, will either Jamaica or Mexico manage to keep pace?

The ball is delivered to American official Ismael Elfath by a cute little yellow remote-control truck...and then hilariously gets stuck in the middle of the pitch and has to be carried off by a player. CONCACAF-y!

Mexico vs. Jamaica: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: The early kickoff of the day saw Venezuela come from behind to defeat 10-man Ecuador by a 2-1 score, giving the Vinotinto all three points and an early lead in Group B. Ecuador saw veteran Enner Valencia sent off in the first half for a nasty boot to the chest of an opponent, and while they grabbed a man-down goal before the break, Venezuela managed to come back with goals from Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello.

30 mins to kickoff: Mexico fans may notice two popular players absent from the Copa America roster. Fan favorites "Chucky" Lozano and "Memo" Ochoa were dropped by head coach Jaime Lozano, which was a bold move by the El Tri boss. Other veterans Hector Herrera and Raul Jimenez were also not called in.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Herrera was not happy, claiming the Mexican federation has not given enough credence to experience and have undervalued MLS players. "They don't give enough value to the level we play at here [in MLS]. I don't know if it's because of the rivalry between MLS and Liga MX." Chucky recently sealed a move to expansion MLS side San Diego FC this summer.

45 mins to kickoff: The Jamaica lineup has been submitted, and there are noticeable absences aside from the hole left by Leon Bailey. Also missing are injured duo Andre Blake and Damion Lowe, who are on the roster but not available to play in this match.

They will go with a 5-3-2 as Michail Antonio and Shamar Nicholson play up front with Bobby Reid and Demarai Gray in support, while the midfield looks thin. 25-year-old Jahmali Waite takes over in net for legendary goalkeeper Blake.

1 hour to kickoff: The Mexico lineup is in, and there aren't many surprises. Orbelin Pineda gets the start in midfield, with their most in-form forwards Julian Quinones and Santiago Gimenez up top. Julio Gonzalez is in goal with Memo Ochoa not called in for the Copa America.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: While Jamaica will be without Leon Bailey, they still have a talented roster that surprises many casual fans who aren't previously aware of their squad. They are led up front by West Ham striker Michail Antonio who had an injury-plagued season but was quality when on the pitch, and is supported by work rate star Bobby Decordova-Reid who plays for Fulham.

There is more Premier League talent at the back, anchored by Ethan Pinnock of Brentford who just won supporter's player of the season last year. In midfield, Kasey Palmer and Joel Latibeaudiere both play for Coventry City, who fell just short of promotion to the EPL last season.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: The loss of Leon Bailey is a big one for Jamaica. The Aston Villa winger refused a call-up to the national team this summer amidst a dispute with the national team.

Bailey is hoping to shed light on what he believes is "unprofessional" treatment of national team players in Jamaica, saying he often books his own flights home and can't remember the last time he was paid to appear for the Reggae Boyz.

The decision has raised questions about Jamaica's treatment of its national team squad, but it's also a major sacrifice for Bailey, who at 26 years old may not get another chance to play in a Copa America during his career. Jamaica have lost a quality player, and Bailey has given up a chance at experiencing something special. A lose-lose for everyone, unless it has the intended effect.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Jamaica have a history of frustrating Mexico of late. Mexico won the 14 of the first 16 matches between these two sides, but over the last 12 meetings since 2008, the Reggae Boyz have performed relatively well. They've won two games in that span while drawing four more, including a 1-0 stunner in the 2017 Gold Cup semifinals plus draws in both 2022/23 Nations League group meetings.

Jamaica slumped to a 3-0 defeat the last time they met in the 2023 Gold Cup semifinals, can they exact revenge against a Mexico side sputtering for form?

2 hours before kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Mexico and Jamaica's Group B opener at the Copa America. It's the two-time finalists against the nation yet to claim a point at the competition. Can Heimir Hallgrimsson's side spring an unlikely upset?

Copa America 2024 Group B standings

Pos.TeamGPW-D-LGoalsGoals againstPoints
1.Venezuela11-0-0213
2.Mexico11-0-0103
3.Jamaica10-0-1010
4.Ecuador10-0-1120

Mexico vs. Jamaica lineups, team news, starting 11

West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez will captain Mexico, with Jaime Lozano expected to field Feyenoord youngster Santiago Gimenez in attack.

Proven international goal scorers are lacking in El Tri's squad, meaning Uriel Antuna — 13 goals in 61 caps — has an important role as a foil for Gimenez.

Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): J. Gonzalez (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, J. Vasquez, Arteaga — Pineda, E. Alvarez, L. Chavez — Antuna, Gimenez, Quinones.

Mexico subs (15): Acevedo (GK), Rangel (GK), B. Garcia, I. Reyes, Orozco, C. Rodriguez, Huerta, E. Sanchez, Cortizo, Romo, Vega, G. Martinez, Flores, Alvarado.

Jamaica are without Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who opted against playing in the Copa America despite being called up as his dispute with the Jamaican Football Federation continues.

West Ham's Michail Antonio and Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid mean there is still likely to be a heavy Premier League flavour to the forward line.

The Reggae Boyz are missing injured MLS duo Andre Blake and Damion Lowe who are on the roster but not available for tonight's match.

Jamaica starting lineup (4-4-2): Waite (GK) — Lembiska, Bernard, Latibeaudiere, Pinnock, Leigh — Decordova-Reid, Palmer, Gray — Nicholson, Antonio.

Jamaica subs (12): Davis (GK), Boyce-Clarke (GK), Cephas, Hector, King, Dixon, Harding, Anderson, Lowe, Marshall, Lambert, Bell.

Mexico vs. Jamaica live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this Copa America 2024 match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

RegionTVStreaming
USAFS1, TUDN USA, UnivisionFubo, Fox Sports app/website, TUDN app/website, Univision Now, ViX
CanadaTSN 4, TSN 5, RDSTSN app, TSN+, RDS app/website
UKPremier Sports 1Premier Sports Player
Australia—Optus Sport
India——

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WATCH LIVE

USA: Mexico vs. Jamaica from NRG Stadium will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via TUDN USA and Univision. Those channels are available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a FREE seven-day trial. ViX is also providing a Spanish-language stream.

UK: This match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sports platforms.

Canada: Mexico vs. Jamaica will be shown on TSN and CTV for English speakers while RDS provide French-language coverage.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport. 

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Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.