Venezuela's forward Salomon Rondon (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty shot during a Copa America Group B game against Mexico at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Wednesday. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
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.
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.
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) June 27, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
46' Substitutions
Mexico replacing Cesar Montes with Israel Reyes and Cristian Casseres subs in for Jefferson Savarino on Venezuela.
Yahoo Sports Staff
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
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)
Yahoo Sports Staff
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%.
Yahoo Sports Staff
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)
Yahoo Sports Staff
38' Yellow card
Now Gimenez is booked for a rough tripping foul on Martinez. Match is getting chippy. Martinez was very slow to get up
Yahoo Sports Staff
35' Yellow card
Venezuela's Ferraresi receives a first yellow card after a foul on Mexico's Chávez.
The SoFi Stadium stands aren't nearly full, but the fans who did make it on time nearly witnessed an opening-minute goal with Santi Gimenez just missing an assist in front of goal.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Playesr of Mexico get in the field prior 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)
Yahoo Sports Staff
Venezuela's lineup with all eyes on captain Salomon Rondon
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 27, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Welcome to Yahoo Sports and our live coverage of the 2024 Copa América. We'll be posting updates, highlights and analysis for tonight match between Mexico and Venezuela right here from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
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