Mexico secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their Copa America Group B opener on Saturday, but their delight was dampened by a potentially tournament-ending injury to captain Edson Alvarez.
Alvarez collapsed clutching his hamstring in the 30th minute and limped off the pitch in tears, casting a shadow over their win.
Jamaica, ranked 38 places below the Mexicans, believed they had netted their first-ever Copa America goal when Michail Antonio headed in five minutes into the second half. However, the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Shaken by the close call, Mexico increased their intensity, with Luis Chavez, Santiago Gimenez, and Gerardo Arteaga all forcing fine saves from Jamaican keeper Jahmali Waite. The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when Arteaga scored with a thunderous strike.
This result puts Mexico level on three points with Venezuela, who earlier in the day defeated Ecuador 2-1 in the other Group B match.