Group B action in the 2024 Copa America continued tonight with a pair of matches. Ecuador took on Jamaica in Las Vegas, the first game of the day before group favorites Venezuela and Mexico faced off from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Mexico played well enough in the first half, but with captain Edson Álvarez out injured, Venezuela pulled off a shock 1-0 win. Salomón Rondón’s second-half penalty kick gave Venezuela the win in an intense, scrappy game. Mexico thought it could save face with a late penalty kick of its own, but standout goalkeeper Rafael Romo denied Orbelín Pineda’s poor effort.
The win means Venezuela is, surprisingly, heading to the quarterfinals, while Mexico will face a crunch match against Ecuador this Sunday with the other spot in the knockout stages on the line.
Venezuela enters this one fresh off a 2-1 comeback win over Ecuador in their Group B opener. Ecuador scored in the 40th minute but second half goals from Jhonder Cádiz’s and Eduard Bello secured the team’s first win since last October.
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Venezuela hasn’t beaten Mexico in international play since 1982, that streak ended tonight at SoFi Stadium.
Rankings:Copa America 2024: Updated power ranking for all 16 teams
Venezuela and Mexico next play in the final throes of Group B on Saturday.
After one last bit of scuffling, Venezuela gets the full-time whistle. The Vinotino are celebrating a massive upset, before it all nearly descends into a brawl.
The fight is just barely avoided, and Copa América has its first major upset. Venezuela has clinched a place in the knockout stages and leads Group B on six points, while Mexico and Ecuador will face a pressure-packed final game in the group stage on Sunday in Arizona.
Mexico is doing everything but score here in the final seconds. Claus has had to delay a corner kick twice over shoving, but once again Venezuela heads clear.
Vega tries to get the ball back in, but Aramburu does just enough to win a goal kick. Venezuela is celebrating that play more than they did Rondón’s goal.
Mexico is bombarding Venezuela right now, but the ball just won’t go in. One shot crashes off of a wall of burdundy-colored shirts, while Mexico’s every pass is forward.
Navarro needs to be careful here, as his last foul could have easily drawn a second yellow card. The left back is cramping up as well, and Mexico has a dangerous free kick that ends up in Romo’s arms.
Defender Christian Makoun is on for midfielder Yangel Herrera, as Batista goes to a 5-4-1 formation.
Mexico has six minutes of stoppage time to save face here.
U.S.-based soccer fans may remember Rafael Romo’s poor spell at D.C. United in MLS, but tonight he’s been a star. The Venezuela goalkeeper dove to his right to save Pineda’s poor spot kick, keeping Venezuela ahead as the game reaches its closing stages.
Romo is on course for a man of the match award, while the pro-Mexico crowd at SoFi Stadium’s anxiety is through the roof.
Claus is persuaded to check the monitor, and the replay seems to indicate that the ball strikes Navarro in the hand.
Claus’ microphone doesn’t work as he explains the call, but the signal is clear: penalty to Mexico!
We’re in a VAR check here as two different Mexico shots slam off Venezuela defenders. Mexico wants a penalty kick from both incidents — one on a Sánchez shot, and the second from Vega’s follow-up — and Claus is waiting for more information from the booth.
Replay seems to show Vega’s shot shouldn’t result in any punishment, but that first one from Sánchez is going to get a long look from the VAR crew.
Right back Jorge Sánchez, all the way forward to help Mexico attack, delivers a perfect pass through the goalmouth, but no one from El Tri can arrive to tap it home. Agonizing stuff, and Aramburu has a bit of a limp in the aftermath, but it stays 1-0 Venezuela.
Venezuela is turning to its bench, with Jhonder Cadíz replacing Rondón and Wilker Ángel stepping in for Yeferson Soteldo.
Orbelín Pineda is on for Quiñones, who has been both Mexico’s most dangerous player and also someone whose lack of precision was costly.
Lozano is also urging his fullbacks forward, with Mexico’s last attack ending with seven men within 35 yards of Venezuela’s goal. We’re not far from El Tri throwing the kitchen sink at this one in pursuit of an equalizer.
Winger Eduard Bello comes off for Venezuela, with Darwin Machís taking his place. It looks like Machís is stepping into Bello’s old role rather than some kind of reshuffle from Venezuela boss Fernando Batista.
Quiñones’ bending cross is too high for Martínez, but it bends on frame, and Romo makes a late reflex save to keep it from sneaking into the bottom corner. That scuffle has really brought Mexico back to life here, but they’ve only got around 25 minutes or so to make it count.
Vega goes for almost the same exact move, and in the aftermath he and Venezuela’s Miguel Ángel Navarro have words.
Vega gives Navarro a shove, and Navarro hits the deck. Claus isn’t happy with any of it, booking both players.
Jaime Lozano is wasting no time in responding, with Mexico making two substitutions. Alexis Vega and Guillermo Martínez have entered the fray, with Rodríguez and Giménez coming off.
Vega is looking to make an instant impact, but ends up committing a foul in the Venezuela box trying to turn his first touches into an equalizer.
Rondón sends González the wrong way and rolls his penalty kick into the bottom corner. Mexico trails Venezuela 1-0, and the El Tri fans at SoFi Stadium are stunned.
Can’t say Venezuela is lucky though, as the Vinotinto have been all over Mexico since play resumed.
Venezuela has its chance! Jon Aramburu’s overlap gets the right back into the box, and Quiñones clumsily bundles him over. Referee Claus gives the spot kick, and Rondón will get the chance to put Venezuela ahead.
The addition of Cásseres has worked superbly so far, with Venezuela’s pressure causing multiple Mexico turnovers. The most recent ends with Rondón’s shot deflecting inches wide. Mexico is wobbling right now.
Mexico makes a halftime switch, with Montes leaving the game. Israel Reyes takes his place, while Luis Chávez takes over as captain for El Tri.
Venezuela, meanwhile, is also turning to the bench. Midfielder Cristian Cásseres Jr. has replaced playmaker Jefferson Savarino. That’s a cautious move for Venezuela, and may change the wide-open dynamic from the first half.
It’s been testy, it’s been feisty, but it’s scoreless at SoFi Stadium as the half comes to a close. Mexico has definitely had more of the good chances, but no one’s come closer to a goal than Rondón’s shot off the post in the 34th minute.
Both teams seem unhappy with one another, and with the referee. Mexico captain César Montes is having a long chat with the officials as the teams make their way to the locker rooms.
Venezuela defender Nahuel Ferraresi was booked for a foul on Giménez, and appears to have injured his toe to boot.
It looks like Ferraresi can continue, but he’ll do so with a yellow card.
Shortly after referee Rafael Claus had to calm players from both teams down, Venezuela sends a long ball in for Salomón Rondó. The striker, one of the best in Mexico’s Liga MX, held off his defender, beat Julio González with his shot, only to watch the ball kiss off the far post and bobble out of danger.
It’s a big reminder for Mexico that as close as they’ve been to scoring, Venezuela can pose a real threat at the other end.
This game has opened up, and Mexico nearly made it pay off. A long ball found striker Santiago Giménez in behind the Venezuela back line, but Romo managed to make just enough contact to thwart Mexico again.
If Mexico can keep this game end-to-end, it might be a long night at the office for Romo.
After an even opening, Mexico has the first truly good look of the match. Julián Quiñones attempted a shot from the left wing that Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo couldn’t hang onto. Venezuela couldn’t get to the rebound, and were relieved to watch Carlos Rodríguez rush his 10th minute effort wide of frame.
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
TV: FS1
Streaming: Fox Sports App, fuboTV
How to watch:Catch the 2024 Copa America with a fuboTV subscription
Mexico is a slight favorite to earn a second win in a row tonight against Venezuela, according to BetMGM’s latest Copa America odds.
Joel Lefevre writes: “Losing Alvarez is a big blow to the Mexicans, who have struggled with consistency since Lozano took charge, looking shaky in numerous instances against the Reggae Boyz. Venezuela will be brimming with confidence after their opening victory, and we believe they have the quality to unlock that Mexican backline and provide another surprise.”
Anthony Wootton says: “Saturday’s match was just the second time in ten games that Venezuela managed to score more than one goal… Mexico peppered Jamaica’s goal in their Group B opener. They had 30 touches inside Jamaica’s box and recorded nine shots on target, their most at the tournament since 2011… [they] have scored at least twice in ten of their last 13 meetings with Venezuela and remain unbeaten… El Tri have not had back-to-back wins in their last ten games in all competitions. They will be impacted by the loss of captain, Edson Alvarez.”
Staff write: “Venezuela’s historic comeback and solid defence against CONCACAF teams show they are capable of challenging Mexico. However, Mexico’s consistent form and ability to control possession make them a formidable opponent. A lot will depend on who is more clinical in the final third and the Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw on the night.”
Saturday, June 22
Wednesday, June 26
Sunday, June 30
Tickets are available for Copa America games through the venues’ preferred partners, such as StubHub and SeatGeek. For tonight’s matchup, tickets were primarily sold through Ticketmaster.
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FW Santiago Giménez: The striker for the Dutch club Feyenoord finished the 2023-24 season with 23 goals, third-best in the Eredivisie. He finished the season on a high note with two goals and two assists in the final three games of the season. He played 67 minutes in Mexico’s Copa America opener against Jamaica and had two shots on goal. With captain Edson Álvarez out for the foreseeable future, he needs to produce for El Tri.
MF Luis Romo: Romo entered the game following Álvarez’s hamstring injury and played well against Jamaica. He assisted on the winning goal by Gerardo Arteaga in 61 minutes of action. He could play a big role once again and be a key part of replacing Álvarez’s production in the aggregate.
MF Yangel Herrera: The midfielder was a pivotal part of the Spanish club Girona FC’s defense in the 2023-24 season that saw the club finish third in La Liga. Girona earned a win over FC Barcelona with him on the field to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League next year. He’ll be a key player on defense for Venezuela tonight.
FW Salomón Rondón: The most experienced player on Venezuela’s national team, Rondón assisted on Jhonder Cádiz’s tying goal in a 2-1 win over Ecuador in their opening game of the group stage. He’s played in more than 100 games for the national team in his career. With Pachuca in Liga MX, Rondón closed the season with two goals in his final three matches.
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