Mexico have scraped out a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their Copa America opener in Houston, but their joy at making a winning start was tempered by what appeared to be a potentially tournament-ending injury to captain Edson Alvarez.
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Alvarez, who plays for West Ham United in England's Premier League and is one the most experienced players on the Mexican team, collapsed clutching his hamstring in the 30th minute and limped off the pitch in tears on Saturday.
Jamaica, who are ranked 38 places below Mexico, thought they had scored their first-ever Copa America goal when Michail Antonio headed into the net five minutes into the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant.
Mexico stepped up a gear after that scare, with Luis Chavez, Santiago Gimenez and Gerardo Arteaga all drawing fine saves from Jamaica keeper Jahmali Waite, before Arteaga finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with a thunderous strike.
Mexico, who are making their 11th appearance in the Copa America, reached the final in 1993 and 2001.
The result moved Mexico level on three points with Venezuela, who beat Ecuador 2-1 in the other Group B clash earlier in the day.
Venezuela struck twice in the space of 10 minutes in the second half to come from behind and earn their victory in California.
Ecuador played most of the match with 10 men after their captain Enner Valencia was sent off in the 22nd minute for a high boot, but Jeremy Sarmiento smashed home just before halftime to put them in front.
Jhonder Cadiz levelled the match in the 64th minute before fellow substitute Eduard Bello struck in the 74th to boost Venezuela's chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
"We fought until the end, even though we were without an important player very early," Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo said.
"It hurts to lose ... (but) we have to keep going because there are two games to go.
"We have a lot of character to turn this around and we are going to fight until the end."
Ecuador's talisman Valencia, and top international scorer, initially earned a yellow for the challenge but the card was upgraded to a red after the referee was sent to the monitor by the video assistant.
Australian Associated Press
