Argentina rounded off Group B with a 1-0 victory against Jamaica, with this result Argentina will finish top of the group with 7 points while Jamaica finish bottom of the group picking up no points in three games. This game was Lionel Messi’s 100th appearance for his country, despite not getting on the score sheet he will be pleased with the victory.
The opening stages of the game as expected were dominated by Argentina, it only took 11 minutes for Argentina to take the lead as a Di Maria outside foot pass found Gonzalo Higuain in the box, he turned and buried it in the bottom corner, an astute finish from Higuain; his first goal of the competition.
Higuain came close to doubling Argentina’s advantage and his goal tally in the 22nd minute but his lobbed effort could only hit the crossbar and out of play, should have been the second of the game for Higuain, a really good opportunity to finish the game early on after a great through ball from Angel Di Maria.
Di Maria had a wonderful chance to double the lead for Argentina in the 38th minute as he ran from the half way on the counter attack and chipped Dwayne Miller, but his effort was cleared off the line by Wes Morgan at the last moment, Di Maria was unfortunate not to have finished off the superb counter attack from the Argentinians.
Argentina went into the break with a slim 1-0 lead, even though they could have been out of sight with numerous chances to increase the lead missed.
Argentina once again were denied by the woodwork, this time it was Angel Di Maria. The Manchester United midfielder cut in front the left hand side and let off a fierce strike which had Miller beaten, but was unable to beat the crossbar.
Lionel Messi nearly got his name on the score sheet on his 100th appearance for his country. A poor clearance from Michael Hector fell to the feet of Messi, who attempted to chip Miller but the goalkeeper was on his toes to stop Messi’s effort with his fingertips and gain pick up the loose ball.
Jamaica had a chance to score their first ever Copa America goal, Martin Demichelis had to be on alert to clear the danger from the dangerous cross from the right hand side, there was three Jamaican attackers waiting but the cross failed to find all of them thanks to the Manchester City defender.
The full time whistle blew and the game finished 1-0. Argentina will be astounded that they were unable to win by a more convincing scoreline as they had multiply clear chances to score and were also denied by the woodwork on a number of occasions. Messi and co won’t be complaining too much as they attained all three points meaning they will top the group.