Mexico’s Alvarez to undergo tests after injury in Copa America opener

Edson Alvarez will undergo tests after being forced off with injury just 30 minutes into Mexico’s Copa America campaign.

Alvarez, 26, was left distraught after appearing to pick up an injury in the first-half of Mexico’s opening game of the tournament against Jamaica at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The midfielder pulled up while tracking back to stop a Jamaican counterattack and was left in tears as medical staff tended to him on the field.

He was then helped from the pitch by staff and was consoled by team-mates. Luis Romo replaced him from the bench.

In Alvarez’s absence Gerardo Arteaga’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory.

“We’re going to wait a few days to do some testing on him and to know well what he’s got going on,” Mexico coach Jaime Lozano said after the game.

“He felt something in his leg and we made the decision to take him out.”

“He’s extremely important,” Lozano added. “He’s a leader, he understands the game well. He’s important on the pitch and in the locker room as well.

“You listen to him talk, he has a way with words and when he speaks you listen. This was a tough blow for all of us … we’ll wait for the results in two days.”

The tournament is Alvarez’s first after being named captain by Lozano in May.

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He had spoken in the pre-match press availability on Friday about just how much of an honour it would be to lead his country at the Copa.

“I really want this to start, (so) tomorrow I can go out with the captain’s armband, listen to the Mexican national anthem in front of all the people,” he said.

“It’s something I think about and get goosebumps.”

Any long-term injury will also be received badly by West Ham United, the Premier League club Alvarez joined from Ajax for £34.4million ($44.1m) last summer.

He impressed in his first season in English football, making 42 appearances in all competitions for the east London side.

Alvarez has 80 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2017, scoring five goals.

(Hector Vivas/Getty Images)