Venezuela 1-0 Jamaica: Josef Martinez strikes seals opening Copa America win

Josef Martinez's first-half strike earned Venezuela a 1-0 win in their opening Copa America clash against 10-man Jamaica at Chicago's Soldier Field.

Venezuela came into the game having won just one of their previous 15 games but Martinez's goal on 15 minutes eased any early nerves.

Their cause was helped when Jamaica had captain Rodolph Austin sent off for a lunge on Tomas Rincon midway through the first half and Venezuela held on for the three points.

Jamaica, missing Leicester defender Wes Morgan for the Group C opener, started well and almost took the lead on 12 minutes when Je-Vaughn Watson headed against the bar.

Venezuela, though, hit Winfried Schafer's side on the break three minutes later through Martinez.

The Torino striker capitalised on good work from Arquimedes Figuera and Alejandro Guerra to fire the Vinotinto into a decisive lead.

It went from bad to worse for Jamaica when former Leeds midfielder Austin was given a red card for catching Rincon's ankle.

Despite being a man light for much of the contest, Jamaica kept plugging away and were almost rewarded on 50 minutes when Michael Hector curled an effort against the post.

West Brom striker Salomon Rondon came close to ending the contest later on in the second half but was denied by Jamaica keeper Andre Blake.