Venezuela clinched a spot in the Copa America quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Mexico. Salomón Rondón’s penalty kick in the 57th minute secured the win for Venezuela, ending their 13-game winless streak against Mexico. This victory, along with their earlier 2-1 win over Ecuador, guarantees Venezuela a spot in the top two of Group B.
Mexico, on the other hand, started the tournament with a 1-0 win over Jamaica but now faces the risk of first-round elimination for the third time in their last four Copa America appearances. They will need a victory against Ecuador to have a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.
The Brazilian referee awarded a penalty kick to Venezuela when Julián Quiñoned fouled Jon Aramburu in the penalty area. Rondón successfully converted the penalty, scoring his 42nd goal in 107 international appearances. This impressive scoring record puts him well ahead of Juan Arango, who is second among Venezuelans with 23 goals.
Mexico had a chance to equalize with a penalty kick of their own, but Rafael Romo made a crucial save to deny Orbelín Pineda in the 87th minute. Despite the missed opportunity, Mexico fought hard but ultimately fell short against Venezuela.
Under the guidance of Argentinian coach Fernando Batista, Venezuela has shown remarkable improvement, with just two losses in their last 15 matches, against Italy and Colombia. This strong performance has propelled them to the quarterfinals of the Copa America for the third time in the last four tournaments.
Mexico, on the other hand, faced challenges in the midfield due to the absence of Edson Álvarez, who suffered a hamstring injury against Jamaica and will miss the remainder of the tournament. This loss has impacted Mexico’s gameplay, and they will need to regroup quickly to stay alive in the competition.
Overall, Venezuela’s victory over Mexico was a significant milestone for the team, securing their place in the quarterfinals and showcasing their potential in the tournament. Mexico, on the other hand, faces a tough road ahead as they fight to avoid early elimination. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both teams as they look to make their mark in the Copa America.