The opportunities abounded early for Mexico on Wednesday night yet the breakthrough never came. Instead, a Venezuela squad currently ranked No. 44 by FIFA outplayed the No. 15 team and came away with a 1-0 win in front of the heavily pro-Mexican crowd.
For the second straight 2024 Copa América match at SoFi Stadium, the “home” team failed to deliver. On Monday, it was Brazil failing to find the net against Costa Rica in a 0-0 draw in front of thousands of yellow jerseys in the stands. On Wednesday, it was El Tri getting beaten by Venezuela in what was basically a home game as Mexico fans filled the stadium and left disappointed.
Mexico’s Julián Quiñones will be the fall guy after his mistake led to the Venezuela penalty. After Quiñones made an ugly challenge inside the box on Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu the ref didn’t think twice before awarding the penalty. And it was Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, who plays for Liga MX side Pachuca, that converted the penalty that was the difference in the match.
El Tri had opened their tournament run with a bittersweet win over Jamaica on Saturday night at NRG Stadium in Houston. Mexico eked out a 1-0 victory thanks to a Gerardo Arteaga goal in the 69th minute, but lost Edson Álvarez to injury in his first match wearing the captain’s armband. Álvarez confirmed via social media Tuesday that his tournament is over as the West Ham star will focus on rehabilitating his injured leg.
Venezuela faced no such hurdles in its tourney opener against Ecuador. La Vinotinto secured a somewhat surprising 2-1 win after Ecuador captain Enner Valencia was shown a red card for a dangerous play inside the box that found his cleat connect with the face of Philadelphia Union’s Jose Martinez. Down a man, Ecuador surrendered two goals in the second half.
With Wednesday’s win, Venezuela sits atop Group B with six points and will be moving on to the quarterfinals after its match Sunday against Jamaica. Ecuador is currently second in the group with three points after its 3-1 win over Jamaica in the early game Wednesday. Mexico needs a win Sunday against Ecuador to move into second and into the quarterfinals.
Here’s how the match unfolded:
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One of Rafael Romo’s six saves vs. Mexico
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Full-time: Mexico 0-1 Venezuela
Venezuela earns the three points and sits alone atop Group B!
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90′ 6 minutes extra time added
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Penalty awarded to Mexico
Orbelin Pineda’s penalty shot is denied!
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73′ Substitution
Cesar Huerta replaces Uriel Antuna for Mexico.
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69′
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65′ Yellow cards
Mexico’s Alexis Vega goes in the book shortly after subbing in. Venezuela’s Miguel Navarro also booked.
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61′ Substitutions
Mexico subs in Alexis Vega for Carlos Rodriguez and Guillermo Martinez for Santiago Gimenez. Another frustrating night for Gimenez
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57′ Venezuela scores on a penalty kick
Quiñones makes a huge mistake with a foul inside the box on Aramburu. The ref didn’t think twice before awarding the penalty and Venezuela capitalizes! Rondon makes it 1-0 from the penalty spot in front of a stunned SoFi Stadium crowd.
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53′ Venezuela counterattack nearly pays off
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50′ Venezuela finally on target
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46′ Substitutions
Mexico replacing Cesar Montes with Israel Reyes and Cristian Casseres subs in for Jefferson Savarino on Venezuela.
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Injured Álvarez supporting his teammates
EDSON ALVAREZ in the stands watching Mexico face Venezuela. Still there for his side despite being out for rest of Copa America due to hamstring injury. Great gesture from El Tri captain. 🇲🇽🙌 pic.twitter.com/8VJzJalr1c
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 27, 2024
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Cesar Montes of Mexico and Nahuel Ferraresi of Venezuela argue during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) -
HALFTIME: Mexico 0-0 Venezuela
Mexico and Venezuela are struggling to find the net, but both sides seem close to a breakthrough. Mexico has taken 8 shots with two on target. Of Venezuela’s 3 shots none have been on target. Mexico is barely winning the possession battle 54% to 46%.
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Gimenez struggling
Venezuela’s goalkeeper #22 Rafael Romo watches as Mexico’s forward #11 Santiago Gimenez takes a shot on goal during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group B football match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
