HOUSTON, June 23 (Xinhua) — A second-half strike from Gerardo Arteaga fired Mexico to a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their opening Copa America Group B clash here on Saturday.

Arteaga broke the deadlock in the 69th minute at NRG stadium when he received Luis Romo’s layoff before rifling an 18-yard shot into the far corner.

Mexico survived a tense finale to secure their first victory in the Copa America since 2016, when they last participated in the continental tournament.

But their celebrations were tempered by an injury to captain Edson Alvarez. The West Ham midfielder limped off in the 30th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Earlier, Eduard Bello scored late as Venezuela secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Ecuador in Santa Clara, California.

Ecuador were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute at Levi’s stadium after veteran forward Enner Valencia was shown a straight red card for hacking down Jose Martinez.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Tricolor went ahead just before halftime through Jeremy Sarmiento’s strike.

But Venezuela took control after halftime and they were rewarded for their dominance just after the hour when Jhonder Cadiz slotted home from 12 yards after Salomon Rondon’s pass.

Bello gave his side the lead 10 minutes later as goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez parried away Rondon’s header only to see Bello thump in the rebound.

Source(s): Xinhua

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) — Chile manager Ricardo Gareca said his team remains hopeful of reaching the Copa America knockout stage after a goalless draw with Peru in their tournament opener on Friday.

Chile controlled 65 percent of possession but had only one shot on target against a Peru side that forced four saves from Roja goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

“It was an evenly fought contest,” Gareca, who served as Peru’s manager from 2015 to 2022 before taking charge of Chile in January, told reporters after the duel.

“Beyond the fact that we wanted to win the game, the most important thing of all is to stay in contention. We are now where we started, with possibilities [of advancing].”

Gareca insisted he had felt no added pressure against his former team and said the result allowed Chile to “improve, see and analyze” for the rest of the tournament.

His Peru counterpart, Jorge Fossati, expressed satisfaction at the Blanquirroja’s performance.

“We had a great attitude and started well,” Fossati said. “But we became anxious and lacked confidence at key moments.”

Source(s): Xinhua

ATLANTA, June 20 (Xinhua) — Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored second-half goals as defending champions Argentina began their Copa America defense with 2-0 victory over Canada here on Thursday.

Alvarez sent an angled finish into the far corner before Martinez put the result beyond doubt by slotting home after Lionel Messi’s pass.

The final scoreline barely did justice to a spirited Canada outfit, who troubled the reigning World Cup winners for long periods of the first half and early in the second.

“It was a tough game against a team that is physically very strong,” Albiceleste captain Messi said after the match at Mercedes-Benz stadium.

“They gave us very little space, particularly in the first half. But we moved the ball more quickly after halftime and knew that if we were patient and took control of the game we would get over the line.”

Canada unsettled Argentina early with a high defensive line that often made it difficult for Messi and company to advance beyond the halfway line.

Les Rouges also looked dangerous in attack and Jonathan David should have done better as he scuffed a shot wide after Alphonso Davies’ overlapping run and cross.

Argentina almost broke the deadlock through Alexis Mac Allister but the Liverpool midfielder could only manage a tame header straight at goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau following Rodrigo de Paul’s lofted pass.

Canada’s best chance of the first half came when Cyle Larin delivered a sumptuous cross into the path of Stephen Eustaquio, whose header was kept out by Emiliano Martinez. The rebound fell to Davies, who had time and space but only succeeded in blasting his first-time effort over the bar.

Argentina emerged from the interval with renewed verve and they took the lead in the 49th minute in a move that started with Messi.

The Inter Miami forward’s perfectly weighted through ball found Mac Allister, whose deft touch in traffic released Alvarez. The Manchester City forward showed his scoring instinct by pouncing and lashing a first-time effort into the far corner.

Canada continued to press and Davies had a chance to equalize minutes later with a header that sailed over.

By now Argentina were also attacking with intent but were wasteful in the final third as Messi and Martinez both missed chances when they had only the goalkeeper to beat.

Martinez, who was a 76th minute substitute for Alvarez, made amends two minutes from time by running onto Messi’s pass and threading a shot between the legs of Crepeau.

Source(s): Xinhua