Higuain strike sees off plucky Jamaica

Argentina secured top-spot in their Copa America group after a first-half Gonzalo Higuain strike was enough to see off a plucky Jamaica on Saturday.

The Caribbean football minnows had the best of the second-half chances and can count themselves unlucky not to have scored an equalizer at Estadio Sausalito.

Martin Demichelis, Javier Mascherano and Pablo Zabaleta all made crucial late clearances as Gerardo Martino's men made it two wins and a draw from their three group matches.

Earlier, Paraguay and Uruguay also progressed to the next phase with a 1-1 draw in La Serena.

Jamaica are the only team from Group B not to qualify for the knockout stage, but they can take heart from having conceded no more than a goal in each of their group matches.

The early signs on Saturday pointed to an Argentina whitewash against Winfried Schafer's team, who are 62 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

It took just 11 minutes for last year's World Cup finalists to open their account through Higuain, making his first start for the tournament in place of the injured Sergio Aguero.

Angel Di Maria began the move by weaving into the box before picking out his former Real Madrid teammate 10 yards from goal.

Surrounded by defenders, Higuain swiveled and in the same motion lashed a shot past Dwayne Miller into the bottom corner.

The Napoli striker almost scored again minutes later when his lofted effort with the outside of his boot bounced off the top of the crossbar after a long Di Maria pass.

Jamaica's best chance of the first half fell to Wes Morgan, who headed just over the bar after Michael Hector flicked on Garath McCleary's corner kick.

Making his 100th appearance for Argentina, Lionel Messi was unable to show the form that has made him favorite to win a fifth Ballon d'Or this year.

His first clear scoring chance didn't come until late in the first half when he fired just wide of the far post after cutting inside to his favored left foot.

It was Higuain who posed the biggest threat to Jamaica's goal. The 27-year-old was again unlucky not to add to his tally when he hit the side netting after a clever one-two with Javier Pastore.

Argentina continued to dictate terms after the interval. Di Maria hit the bar with a fizzing effort from distance, then Messi and Pastore sprayed shots wide of the target.

Despite their lack of possession, Jamaica were not without their chances and they grew with confidence as the match progressed.

Deshorn Brown hit a tame attempt from outside the area straight at Sergio Romero when he had more time to compose himself. Then Demichelis intervened to stave off danger after Jobi McAnuff's teasing cross from the right.

Argentina were flat-footed in the closing stages and they almost paid the price by allowing Jamaica an equalizer.

Zabaleta was forced to head away Rodolph Austin's curling delivery from a set piece before Mascherano nodded out McCleary's corner kick in the final minute of the match.

Earlier, Uruguay and Paraguay failed to impress despite doing what was needed to advance beyond the group stage.

Jose Gimenez opened the scoring at Estadio La Portada with a 29th-minute header from a Carlos Sanchez corner that bounced in off the post.

Lucas Barrios equalized on the stroke of halftime by meeting an Edgar Benitez corner with a powerful header past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Endi