Venezuela scored from the penalty spot while Mexico failed to convert a penalty kick of their own in the waning minutes, and the South American nation advanced to the knockout rounds of the 2024 Copa America on Wednesday.
[ MORE: 2024 Copa America predictions | Copa America schedule ]
That’s two wins from two games for Venezuela, who came back to beat 10-man Ecuador in their first game of Group B play, as they clinch a place in the knockouts for the fifth time in the last seven tournaments (previously Venezuela had advanced from the group stage just once). After Ecuador (3 points) beat Jamaica earlier on Wednesday, Mexico (3 points) now find themselves 3rd in the group with the Reggae Boyz (0 points - already eliminated) still to play.
Both penalty incidents occurred in the second half, beginning in the 57th minute when Salomon Rondo, who also hit the post with Venezuela’s best chance of the first half, converted from the spot to extend his lead as La Vinotinto‘s (The Wine-Red) all-time leading scorer (42 for Rondon, 23 for Juan Arango in second).
El Tri were handed — no pun intended — a lifeline in the final five minutes when Miguel Navarro blocked Jorge Sanchez’s shot with a raised hand. Orbelin Pineda was then denied by Rafael Romo as he went to the goalkeeper’s right and Romo read it the whole way.
Tempers boiled over after the final whistle, a continuation of physical, chippy 90 minutes of emotionally charged, end-to-end football. Everything we love about Copa America.
Things got a little chippy at the end of Mexico vs Venezuela 😅 pic.twitter.com/6dZapxZ6Wg
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
Venezuela vs Mexico player ratings
Venezuela vs Mexico highlights, final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Salomon Rondo (57' - PK)
PENALTY: Orbelin Pineda’s late penalty kick saved
PENALTY FOR MEXICO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
After review a handball in the box is confirmed pic.twitter.com/zwG2Zk1mXR
ROMO SAVES THE PENALTY BY PINEDA 😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
Venezuela hangs on to its 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/pwbY368sj0
GOAL: Venezuela 1-0 Mexico - Salomon Rondon converts from the penalty spot (57')
PENALTY FOR VENEZUELA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
Do you agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/rNZz2OxsXd
RONDÓN FOR THE LEAD 🇻🇪
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
Venezuela takes a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the second half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7KkLb4bpFW
Venezuela starting lineup
Romo — Aramburu, Ferraresi, Osorio, Navarro — Martinez, Herrera, Bello — Savarino, Soteldo, Rondon
Mexico starting lineup
Gonzalez — Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Arteage — Rodrigues, Chavez, Romo — Antuña, Quinones, Gimenez
How to watch Venezuela vs Mexico, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9pm ET, Wednesday (June 26)
Stadium: SoFi Stadium - Inglewood, California
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Mexico team news, focus
Alvarez’s status is not entirely clear heading into the top-of-the-group showdown, but Luis Romo, his likely replacement, provided the assist to Arteaga and is one of the more experienced players in the team at 29 years old (46 caps). For Mexico to make a deep run at Copa America, Alvarez will need to be available and effective. 33-year-old goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez picked up just his second cap in the opener after 150-time capped Guillermo Ochoa was left out of the squad alongside fellow stalwarts Hirving Lozano and Raul Jimenez.
Venezuela team news, focus
Venezuela, meanwhile, were involved in the most action-packed game of the tournament thus far. Ecuador were reduced to 10 men after Enner Valencia put his studs into Jose Martinez’s neck in the 22nd minute, but Venezuela fell behind not long before halftime as Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento (spent last season on loan to promoted Ipswich Town) scored in the 40th. Midway through the second half, Jhonder Cadiz equalized for Venezuela and Eduard Bello scored the winner with 15 minutes of regular time left to play. Another victory would secure Venezuela’s place in the knockout rounds for just the sixth time in program history, including in four of the last six tournaments.
Venezuela vs Mexico prediction
It’ll be a counter-attacking affair with neither side looking to take too many risks when a draw would serve both quite well. Venezuela 1-1 Mexico.
