Copa America 2024 Group Stage
23 June, 2024 - Indian Date
NRG Stadium
MATCH TIMES
India
06:30 AM
UAE
05:00 AM
Saudi Arabia
04:00 AM
LIVE MATCH INFO
Mexico possible starting lineup: J Gonzalez; J Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Arteaga; E Sanchez, Alvarez, Chavez; Antuna, Gimenez, Vega
Jamaica possible starting lineup: Blake; Lowe, Hector, Bernard; Latibeaudiere, Palmer, Johnson, Anderson; Decordova-Reid, Antonio, Nicholson
Match Preview
As Jamaica and Mexico prepare to kick off their Group B campaign in the Copa America, both teams have distinct histories and current forms to consider.
Jamaica:
Historical Performance: This will be Jamaica's third appearance in the Copa America finals. They have yet to win a match or earn a point in the competition, having lost all their group-stage fixtures in 2015 and 2016.
Qualification: Jamaica qualified for the 2024 Copa America through the CONCACAF Nations League, where they beat Canada in the quarter-finals.
Recent Form: Jamaica is entering the tournament with confidence, having secured three consecutive wins in friendlies against Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Dominica.
Squad: The team is missing Leon Bailey, but it still boasts talent in the form of Michail Antonio from West Ham United and former Premier League player Demarai Gray. Shamar Nicholson, with 19 international goals, is expected to lead the attack alongside Antonio and Bobby Decordova-Reid.
Mexico:
Historical Performance: Mexico's best performance in Copa America came in 1993 when they finished as runners-up to Argentina. They have also reached the semi-finals in 1997, 1999, and 2007. This year marks their return to the competition since 2016, when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Recent Form: Mexico's recent form has been shaky, with three losses in their last four matches, including defeats to Uruguay, Brazil, and the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League final.
World Cup Performance: They had a disappointing exit in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, marking the first time they failed to reach the knockout rounds since being banned from the 1990 tournament.
-Squad: Santiago Gimenez, who had an impressive season with Feyenoord, will lead the attack. The team will be captained by Edson Alvarez, with notable players like Cesar Montes and Jorge Sanchez in defense, and Uriel Antuna as the leading goalscorer in the squad.
Match Context:
Key Players: Jamaica will rely on the attacking prowess of Michail Antonio and Shamar Nicholson, while Mexico will look to Santiago Gimenez for goals and Edson Alvarez for leadership in midfield.
Historical Encounters: Jamaica last defeated Mexico in a friendly in July 2017, but Mexico has won three of their last five encounters, including a 3-0 victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup in July 2023.
Outlook:
Jamaica will be aiming for a historic first win in the Copa America, hoping their recent form and attacking options can make the difference. Mexico, despite their recent struggles, have a more storied history in the tournament and will look to leverage their experience and individual talents to start their campaign with a victory. This opening match could set the tone for both teams in a competitive Group B that also includes Ecuador and Venezuela.