Lionel Messi's side could face Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela in the quarter-finals


Marcos Rojo spread his arms wide and offered a wry smile as if to ask what more Argentina could do.

The Copa America favourites had only Gonzalo Higuain's early goal to show for their attacking efforts as Jamaica's ragtag bunch of international misfits had refused to crumble in the face of a blue-and-white-striped onslaught.

Having conceded only once in defeats by Uruguay and Paraguay, the Reggae Boyz belied their pre-tournament status as whipping boys once more in Vina del Mar.

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain celebrates scoring the opening goal of the contest in the 11th minute

Higuain picked up a pass from Angel di Maria to fire Argentina into an early lead in their Group B encounter

Higuain gets a hug from team-mates Messi (left) and Di Maria following his early intervention in Vina del Mar

Argentina celebrate en masse after Higuain's goal in their Group B Copa America clash

MATCH FACTS Argentina: Romero 6.5, Rojo 7, Garay 6.5, Demichelis 6.5, Zabaleta 6.5, Biglia 6, Pastore 7 (Pereyra 59, 6), Mascherano 6.5, Higuain 7 (Tevez 72, 6), Messi 7, Di Maria 7.5 (Lamela 84) Subs not used: Roncaglia, Gago, Aguero, Guzman, Casco, Otamendi, Banega, Lavezzi, Andujar Goal: Higuain 11 Booked: Pastore, Zabaleta Jamaica: Miller 6, Hector 7.5 (Taylor 71, 6), Morgan 7.5, Laing 6.5 (Dawkins 71, 6), Brown 7.5 (Barnes 78), McAnuff 7, Watson 7, Austin 7, Mariappa 7, Lawrence 7, McCleary 7 Subs not used: Kerr, Gordon, Parkes, Gray, Mattocks, Williams, Ottey, Grant, Thompson Booked: Austin, Hector, Laing Referee: Julio Bascunan (Chile) Advertisement

Their third backs-to-the-wall performance in a row may have have brought no reward but will deservedly earn them plenty of plaudits.

Lionel Messi, winning his 100th cap, was among those unable to breach the defensive wall but Argentina did at least secure top spot in Group B.

Next up for Gerardo Martino's side will likely be either Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela back at the home of Everton de Vina del Mar - named after the Premier League club - in the last eight on Friday.

It was almost 17 years to the day since Gabriel Batistuta's hat-trick fired Argentina to a 5-0 victory over Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup in France.

But the Caribbean side have improved dramatically in the intervening years and head to the Gold Cup - their main objective this summer - with their pride intact.

Martino resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to his line-up, instead handing first starts to Higuain and Martin Demichelis as Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi dropped to the bench.

Five of the seven Jamaican players who ply their club trade in England operate in the lower tiers with others spread as far and wide as El Salvador and Sweden. Less than half of those in the starting line-up were born in Jamaica.

And Argentina were on the front foot almost immediately as Messi played in Higuain only for the Napoli striker to shoot meekly wide.

Having then watched another effort deflected over, Higuain broke the deadlock 11 minutes in, controlling Angel di Maria's pass and slotting home.

But the expected avalanche of goals never arrived.

Jamaica midfielder Rodolph Austin gets to grips with Messi's shirt during the opening exchanges

Manchester United forward Di Maria has his progress halted by Austin

Higuain could have had a hat-trick by the mid-point of the first half but was again denied when his deft chip dropped on to the top of the bar.

Messi, who later swapped shirts with Leyton Orient's Jobi McAnuff, then cut in on to his left foot before curling the ball past the far post before Di Maria twice came agonisingly close in quick succession.

The Manchester United forward raced on to Sergio Romero's long throw and dinked the ball over Dwayne Miller only for Wes Morgan to clear the ball off the line.

And Jamaica had Miller to thank for keeping them in the game when he clawed away Di Maria's thumping drive from the edge of the box minutes before the break.

Barcelona star Messi splits the Jamaican defence with a deft pass during the first half of action in Chile

Di Maria hurdles over Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller as he watches his attempt on goal drift wide of the posts

Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero claims the ball despite the attention of Jamaica defender Vaughn Watson

The interval did little to change the flow of the game as Kemar Lawrence almost inadvertently deflected the ball past his own keeper before Di Maria rattled the cross bar from distance.

Miller was then on hand to keep out Messi's attempted lob with his outstretched hand as Argentina struggled to find that elusive second goal.

Given the scarcity of Jamaica's attacks, Lance Laing should have done better than fire a free kick from yards wildly over the bar and almost out of the picturesque ground.

But by midway through the second half, Argentina were beginning to look disjointed with even Messi over-hitting a searching pass aimed in the direction of Rojo.

Austin is shown a yellow card from referee Julio Bascuoan as his team-mates try to calm the Jamaica defender

Jamaica's Lance Laing gets tangled up with Argentina midfielder Lucas Biglia

Messi is greeted by a wall of Jamaican defenders as Argentina look to double their advantage following Higuain's early breakthrough

Messi takes a tumble following a robust challenge from Michael Hector

And Deshorn Brown had Jamaica's best chance to date when he turned well on the edge of the box only to shoot tamely at Romero.

Even Argentina's supporters, who had been in party mood before kick-off, were whistling their frustration.

Indeed, Jamaica were looking as threatening as they had all tournament with Giles Barnes wriggling his way past two defenders on the byline only for his ball in to be cleared.

But for a lack of composure in the box, the invited guests may have earned their first Copa America point but on this evidence, they can at least expect to be asked back.

Miller winds up a goal-kick as Argentina struggle to add to their opening goal

Jamaica coach Winfried Schaefer shouts some orders from the sideline during the opening 45 minutes of action

Jamaica's Kemar Lawrence rests against the goal post during a break in play

Jamaica defender Adrian Mariappa drives forward with possession as Javier Mascherano looks to close in

Argentina fans find their voice in Sausalito Stadium prior to kick-off in Chile



