Jamaica had been tapped as the surprise team to watch in a competitive Group C at this year’s Copa América Centenario, but they managed to lose 1-0 to the worst team in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying, Venezuela.
Advertisement
Uruguay defender Diego Godin (3) celebrates a goal against Mexico during the second half against Mex …
Uruguay will be without star player Luis Suarez, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
But it was Mexico counterpart Marquez who stole the show, putting the side ahead in the 85th minute with an unstoppable strike, before Herrera headed in a late goal to seal the win.
In the pre-match ceremony foul-up, Uruguay’s players stood silently, many of them with blank stares, as the wrong anthem was played.
Hector Herrera and Uruguay’s Alvaro Pereira both leapt to meet Andres Guardado’s curling cross from the left with the defender heading into his own net.
Marquez’s close-range shot in the 84th minute broke a 1-1 tie and Herrera’s header from just outside the net added another score in extra time. The victory was Mexico’s 10th straight and extended its unbeaten streak to 20, since a 2-1 loss to Ecuador in the first round of last year’s Copa America.
Diego Rolan nearly equalized after a superb charging run from his own half by Godin, who laid off to Cavani who fed Rolan, only for the Uruguayan to shoot wide.
Uruguay’s day then degenerated further when Matias Vecino was expelled with his second yellow within a minute of halftime.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera offered the most confusion, looking around awkwardly during the anthem.
The implosion was complete in the twenty-forth minute, when midfielder Rodolph Austin committed a studs-up tackle on Tomás Rincón after getting the ball, and was promptly sent off.
Advertisement
Uruguay will face Venezuela on Thursday in Philadelphia with its participation in the tournament on the line, while El Tri moves on to Pasadena, where it will play Jamaica.
