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Uruguay national football team
Copa America | Group Stage
Jun 13, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Jamaica national football team

1-0

Rodriguez (52')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Uruguay 1-0 Jamaica - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Uruguay's narrow 1-0 Copa America Group B victory against Jamaica.
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Uruguay stumbled to a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in Group B of the Copa America tonight.

Cristian Rodriguez scored the winner in the second half, but Uruguay failed to hit their usual standard.

Jamaica, meanwhile, impressed and were the better team but were unable to breach the Uruguay defence.

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of the Group B match below.


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Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Copa America Group B match between Uruguay and Jamaica.

Uruguay go into the tournament as reigning champions after beating Paraguay in the final four years ago, and they'll be gunning for success once again this time around. Luis Suarez misses out on the tournament - he's still serving his suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in last year's World Cup, but everyone knows how deadly Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani can be for them.

Jamaica are competing in their first ever Copa America this year, and their squad includes a host of England-based players, including Rodolph Austin and Garath McCleary. They are rank outsiders in this year's Copa and anything other than a loss tonight will be deemed a success.

With just over 20 minutes left until kick off, let's move straight onto the team news...

URUGUAY STARTING XI: Muslera, Gimenez, Godin, Alvaro Pereira, Maxi Pereira, Carlos Sanchez, Rodriguez, Lodeiro, Arevalo, Rolan, Cavani

Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez names a strong line-up for tonight's match. Cavani is partnered by Diego Rolan up-front, and Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin will marshal their defence. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United this week, will win his 67th cap tonight.

JAMAICA STARTING XI: Kerr, Hector, Morgan, Mariappa, Lawrence, McAnuff, Austin, Dawkins, McCleary, Barnes, Mattocks

As expected, Jamaica's starting eleven includes a host of names familiar to fans in England. The aforementioned Austin and McCleary both start, while Wes Morgan, Jobi McAnuff, Adrian Mariappa all play in England. Ex-Derby County player Giles Barnes starts up-front tonight.

PAST MEETINGS: The two teams have only met each other three times in the past, with Uruguay winning twice and losing once. Jamaica did win the last match between the two teams though - a 2-0 triumph in 2004.

Uruguay do in fact hold the record for most Copa America triumphs. Victory four years ago was their 15th tournament win, and they have reached the semi-finals in each of the last five Copas.

Jamaica are one of the two CONCACAF teams invited to participate, and their task is simple this tournament. "We want to improve ourselves," coach Winfried Schafer said earlier this week.

With the anthems ringing through the stadium just now, it's surely time for a prediction ahead of kickoff. I can't see anything but a Uruguay victory tonight. With Cavani up-front and Godin at the back, the spine of their team is really solid, and I'm going for a 3-0 victory for them.

The two teams line up for their team photos ahead of kickoff. Jamaica will be playing in their all-yellow strips, with Uruguay in their famous sky blue shirts and black shorts.

KICKOFF! Jamaica start the match, and immediately launch the ball long. It's gathered by Muslera.

Jamaica make a positive start to the match, with McCleary attempting a through-ball to Dawkins. It goes a touch too far though and is dealt with by Muslera.

The first corner of the match goes to Jamaica, as Godin clears behind after Barnes drives up the right wing. The corner comes to nothing though.

The ball is played up the Uruguay right wing and Hector attempts a pass back to Kerr. It ends up short though but Kerr is able to clear the ball for a throw-in with Cavani in hot pursuit.

Uruguay build down the left this time, and McCleary clears the ball behind. Lodeiro takes the corner but it's cleared by Lawrence.

A long ball by Godin searches out Rolan but Kerr reaches the ball first and to quash the attack.

Jamaica attack but get no purchase out of the Uruguay defence. Eventually it falls to Austin who launches the ball high over the bar from 25 yards.

With 15 minutes gone, Jamaica are looking impressive. Uruguay simply haven't stepped out of first gear yet and the Reggae Boys look the most likely to make something happen so far.

Lodeiro takes a pop from long range, but it's a comfortable save for Kerr.

Mattocks closes down Godin and wins the ball in a good area. It eventually is cleared for a Jamaica throw-in and Uruguay are able to regroup.

Godin then commits a foul on the right wing, and Austin will launch this into the area here...

It's a poor delivery from Austin and the ball is cleared to McAnuff. He shoots from long range but it's straight into Muslera's arms.

Uruguay go on the attack straight away, and Rolan plays in Cavani but he's a yard offside.

Jamaica are playing some really nice football here. McCleary and McAnuff combine and a ball is played into the area for Barnes, but he can't get his head onto it.

They now have a throw-in on the right by-line and it's thrown long. Godin can only head it behind for another Jamaica corner.

Lawrence's corner isn't dealt with well by Muslera, who palms it away. The referee comes to the rescue though and blows up for a free kick.

With little over 10 minutes to half time, it's Jamaica who are in the driving seat here. Uruguay really need to step it up if they're to win tonight.

A throw from the right is flicked on by Gimenez but Kerr rises highest to pluck the ball out the air. Good goalkeeping.

CHANCE! The best chance of the match so far falls to Cristian Rodriguez, whose turn-and-shot is saved low to Kerr's right.

CHANCE! Mattocks should have put Jamaica into the lead there. He takes it past Godin but then completely missed his kick and Muslera gathers the ball.

It's a frantic end to the first half! Cavani breaks into the penalty area and goes to ground from a challenge by Hector, but the referee waves his penalty appeals away.

CHANCE! Cavani now with a chance but his shot hits the side netting from a tight angle.

Lodeiro plays in Rodriguez, but Kerr gets to the ball. He's collided with Hector though and is down injured.

HALF TIME: Uruguay 0-0 Jamaica

Well, it's goalless at half time but Jamaica will be absolutely delighted with their performance so far. After coming in as huge underdogs, they've been the better side so far. Mattocks had a great chance to put them ahead but fluffed his lines at the last moment.

Uruguay were disappointing until the 40th minute, when the match came to life. Cavani and Rodriguez could have broken the deadlock and Uruguay will need to build on that in the second half.

McAnuff is playing particularly well for Jamaica tonight. He's in an unfamiliar central midfield position and has been central in many of Jamaica's attacks.

As for Uruguay, Godin is nowhere near his best. He's been caught out a few times and let Mattocks in far too easily near the end of the half.

A quick look at the stats then, and Uruguay just shade possession with 52%. Jamaica are really dominant in the air though, winning 68% of headers. That could be key in any set pieces in the next 45 minutes.

Both clubs have struggled to create chances though - 8 of the 11 shots taken so far have been from outside the penalty area.

We're just about ready to start the second half. Interestingly, Tabarez kept Uruguay in the dressing room for a few minutes longer than Jamaica. Perhaps he wasn't too happy with Uruguay's first-half performance.

KICKOFF! Uruguay start the second half.

Uruguay are looking more settled on the ball, playing it around nicely between the midfield and defence.

Uruguay attack through Lodeiro, but Dawkins wins it back and is fouled. Kerr clears the ball downfield.

Rolan wins a free kick on the left by-line, after Hector pulls him down. This could be dangerous for Jamaica.

GOAL: Uruguay 1-0 Jamaica (Cristian Rodriguez)

Uruguay score from the free kick! Lodeiro launches it high to the far post to Gimenez, who heads down to Rodriguez, and he finishes the move from six yards.

JAMAICA SUBSTITUTION: Laing comes on for Dawkins. The defender is making his fifth appearance for the Reggae Boys.

Barnes tries to get on the end of a Mariappa cross, but his shot is skewed high and Muslera gathers.

YELLOW CARD! Gimenez is the first player to go in the book, after taking out Mattocks. It looked a sore one for the Jamaica striker.

CHANCE! Barnes has a great chance to hit the back of the net from long range. Pereira fails to clear an Austin long ball and, with Muslera wandering out of his goalmouth, Barnes takes a first-time shot at goal which curls wide.

URUGUAY SUBSTITUTION: De Arrascaeta comes for goalscorer Rodriguez and takes up his place on the left wing.

Jamaica build down the left, and Lawrence's cross is cleared by Godin. Barnes was waiting to turn the ball in here.

A Uruguay free kick is played long into the area and Kerr can't quite gather it properly. Austin comes to the rescue though to help out his goalkeeper.

Jamaica haven't been anywhere near the standard of the first-half performance here, but they are still just one goal behind. Anything can happen in the final 18 minutes.

URUGUAY SUBSTITUTION: Christian Stuani comes on for Sanchez and will take up his position on the right wing.

JAMAICA SUBSTITUTION: Deshorn Brown replaces Mattocks. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward has performed well tonight.

CHANCE! Laing plays a cross onto the head of Barnes, but his header from 16 yards misses the target. It looks like Muslera had that one covered.

CHANCE! Another header for Jamaica trickles narrowly wide. Laing is on target with his cross once again, but Brown can't direct the ball on target.

Uruguay are looking nervous going into the final 10 minutes here. Muslera launches the ball out of the pitch from a goal kick and Jamaica go again.

It's a dreadful delivery from Lawrence from a free kick. Jamaica will be regretting that they couldn't do more from set pieces here tonight.

YELLOW CARD! Godin goes in the book after a tough challenge on McAnuff. The free kick is 30 yards from goal.

Lawrence takes the free kick, and it's much better this time. It looks like it was going just over the bar but Muslera plays it save and parries the ball behind.

URUGUAY SUBSTITUTION: Alvaro Gonzalez replaces Lodeiro before the corner is taken.

CHANCE! Lawrence's first corner is cleared behind by Arevalo. His second reaches Laing at the far post, who volleys over the bar.

Jamaica are really pushing for an equaliser here. Three minutes left for Uruguay to hold on.

CHANCE! Stuani should have put the game beyond doubt there. A long ball finds Rolan, who plays it back to Stuani. With the goal gaping, he shoots over the bar. How significant could that miss be?

There will be three minutes of stoppage time.

FULL TIME: Uruguay 1-0 Jamaica

So Uruguay stutter to victory tonight as Cristian Rodriguez spares their blushes. Jamaica were the better team on the balance of play, but a lack of cutting edge sees them come away without having found the net.

Uruguay will need to improve dramatically to have any chance of beating Argentina in their next match on Wednesday. Next up for Jamaica, a match against Paraguay on Tuesday.

That's it from me tonight, but the other Group B match, Argentina vs. Paraguay, kicks off in just half an hour. Stay with Sports Mole for our live coverage here.

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Uruguay's forward Edinson Cavani celebrates with his teammate Uruguay's midfielder Cristian Rodriguez after scoring during a Group D football match between Uruguay and Costa Rica at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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