Salomon Rondon’s crucial penalty led Venezuela to a 1-0 victory over Mexico in their Copa América Group B match, securing their place in the quarterfinals and eliminating Jamaica from the tournament. Converted in the 57th minute, Rondon capitalized on a foul by Mexican defender Julian Quinones, sending goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez the wrong way. This victory ended Venezuela’s lengthy 13-game winless streak against Mexico.
As the match approached its conclusion, Mexico was awarded a penalty for handball, but Rafael Romo’s impressive save denied Orbelin Pineda an equalizer in the 87th minute. Romo’s heroics didn’t end there, as he made crucial saves including stopping efforts from Cesar Huerta and Guillermo Martinez, preserving Venezuela’s lead. These performances have moved Venezuela to six points, ensuring their advancement to the quarterfinals with a group-leading position.
Looking ahead, Mexico will face Ecuador in Arizona, needing a win to progress. Venezuela, already qualified, will play Jamaica in Texas, and a draw or win could allow them to avoid a quarterfinal clash with defending champions Argentina. This strategic advantage underscores Venezuela’s strong position in the tournament, fueled by Romo’s goalkeeping and Rondon’s scoring prowess.
