Highlights: Argentina dominate Jamaica; get 1-0 win thanks to Higuain's early goal
Argentina secured their second win on the trot and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa America. They defeated Jamaica 1-0 in an entertaining match thanks to Gonzalo Higuain’s early goal.
The match was dominated by the men in light blue, as they went on the offensive from the onset, pinning the Jamaicans down into their own half. Their first few attacks all resulted in chances that were blocked, but another chance at the 10-minute mark saw them take the lead. A lovely outside of the foot pass from Angel Di Maria was controlled by Higuain, who then shielded the ball from the defenders, turned and calmly put the ball in the corner.
They didn’t take it easy after scoring the goal, instead piling on the pressure, looking for more. The goalscorer Higuain was sent through by Di Maria, but his attempted lob bounced off the crossbar.
Their next big chance came from a counter-attack that was started by a great throw from goalkeeper Sergio Romero. He sent the left-winger through on goal, and the Manchester United man got his shot away, only to see it cleared off the line.
The second half followed much the same pattern, as the major chances fell to Di Maria and skipper Lionel Messi, both of whom couldn’t finish. The former Real Madrid talisman stepped inside a defender and let rip a fast curler, but it came back off the inside of the goal frame, while Messi got a chance after some miscommunication in the Reggae Boyz defence but saw his cute chip well saved by the goalkeeper.
With the win, La Albiceleste go through to the quarter-finals with 7 points, where they will be joined by Paraguay, who finished with 5, pipping Uruguay, who also made it through as one of the best 3rd-placed teams with 4 points. Jamaica finished their group assignments with 0 points, having lost all 3 of their matches.