Mexico are sweating on the fitness of captain Edson Alvarez after he was forced off through injury in their Copa America opener.
Houston hosted the Group B fixture but it looks like it could be the end of the tournament already for West Ham’s Alvarez.
He went down clutching his hamstring just 30 minutes into the game and comforted by his team-mates as he limped off in tears.
Things nearly got even worse for El Tricolor early in the second half when Michail Antonio headed into an empty net, but it was ruled out for offside.
Mexico then found another gear and goalkeeper Jahmali Waite was a busy man, keeping out both Luis Chavez and Santiago Gimenez.
But Gerardo Arteaga broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go, scoring a brilliant strike from distance.
It was a nervy 1-0 win for Mexico and now they will sit and wait for news on the extent of their captain’s injury.
Taking a look at Group B 👀 pic.twitter.com/FivQ5OQI9B
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) June 23, 2024
Head coach Jaime Lozano said after the match: “We’re going to wait a couple of days to do some testing on him and to know well what he’s got going on.
“He’s extremely important. He’s a leader, he understands the game well.
“He’s important on the pitch and in the locker room as well. You listen to him talk, he has a way with words and when he speaks you listen.
“This was a tough blow for all of us.”
Mexico are appearing in their 11th Copa America, last making the final in 2001.
The win moved them alongside Venezuela on three points after they beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier in the day.
They will face each other in California on Wednesday.
