Venezuela won a changing match against Mexico and secured their qualification for the quarterfinals of the America Cup: won 1-0 with a goal Salomón Rondón, while he also celebrated the penalty that Rafael Romo saved from Orbelín Pineda at 42 minutes of the second half. And the celebrations exploded at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
In the beginning everything was from Mexico. Quickly, before the first minute of play, he dangerously approached the Venezuelan goal. After the middle kick-off, Uriel Antuna grabbed the air ball inside the area and played the cross pass to Santiago Gimenez, that by centimeters failed to connect. It was very clear.
And at 18′ came an opportunity of even greater danger for those led by Jaime Lozano: a pass from behind the middle of the field by Luis Chávez left Giménez hand in hand with the goalkeeper Rafael Romo, the figure in Venezuela’s victory against Peru, which in this case stood out with a new save.
The team was not having a good time. Again Batista, beyond a mid-range shot from Yeferson Soteldo that went over the crossbar, until the hierarchy of Salomón Rondón. First, the post denied him the goal after receiving a long pass and entering the area. It seemed like an inconsequential play, but the forward managed to separate himself from his marker and take a good left foot shot that he hit against Julio González’s left post.
Then, at the start of the match, Venezuela confirmed that it was in the game. A powerful shot by Soteldo that was blocked by the Mexican goalkeeper, first, and a shot by Rondón that went just wide, later, marked that Mexico’s dominance was already behind us.
And finally, the former River scorer opened the account 12 minutes into the second half. Julián Quiñones knocked down Jon Aramburu inside the area and Rondón did not fail from the twelve steps.
Pushed by the disadvantage on the scoreboard, Mexico began to approach the tie with more drive than football. And it was really close. Venezuela, meanwhile, closed the spaces, resigned its tenure and opted for vertical attacks in a frictional and strong-leg match in Los Angeles.
Orbelín Pineda, Entered in the second half, he had equality on his feet. From a penalty, after a check by Raphael Claus on the screen of the WAS, had the chance to score 1-1 42 minutes into the second half. But Rafael Romo avoided it with a save that earned him a place in the quarterfinals.
Mexico will play the qualification head-to-head with Ecuador on the last date, while Venezuela will seek first place in the group against Jamaica.