México loses to Venezuela 1-0
Los Angeles, USA, Jun 26 (EFE).-
Less than three months after turning 35, forward Salomon Rondon expanded his legend in Los Angeles on Wednesday by catapulting Venezuela to a 1-0 win over Mexico in the Copa America.
The win, their second in as many matches in the tournament after they came from behind to beat Ecuador 1-2 in their opening match, was enough for the charges of Argentine Fernando Batista to book their place in the quarterfinals.
Mexico, who eked out a 1-0 win against Jamaica in their first match, must now overcome Ecuador, who won 1-3 against the Caribbean country on Wednesday, in their next match in Arizona on June 30 to progress to the next round.
Venezuela had goalkeeper Rafael Romo to thank for saving a penalty in the 86th minute to ensure they went unscathed in the game.
Romo dived to his right to deny substitute Orbelin Pineda, the first penalty saved in the 48th edition of the tournament before he saved a goal from point-blank range in injury time to protect Venezuela’s lead.
Rondon, who intimidates his rivals with the nicknames ‘the Gladiator’ and ‘the Beast’, earlier converted the penalty for Venezuela to score his 42nd international goal in the 57th minute, which only consolidated his position as the top scorer in the history of the national team.
Venezuela will play against already-eliminated Jamaica in their next match in Austin on Sunday, without feeling any pressure other than aiming to secure their top position in Group B. EFE
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