Venezuela came into Monday’s Group C finale seeking a third straight upset, and they nearly completed their impressive feat before Jesus Manuel Corona decided to change the script.
Mexico earned a thrilling 1-1 tie against Venezuela on Monday night, as Corona’s late equalizer earned El Tri a share of the points.
After just 10 minutes into the match, Jose Manuel Velazquez put La Vinotinto in front in spectacular fashion. Alejandro Guerra’s free kick started the sequence, before Christian Santos’ header centered the ball for Velasquez. The 25-year-old centerback acrobatically finished the play, giving Venezuela the early 1-0 lead.
Juan Carlos Osorio and Mexico had their penalty shouts denied in the 38th minute when the ball struck Wilker Angel’s arm on the way to the net.
Needing a goal to at least preserve a draw, Mexico came out swinging in the second half, constantly badgering the Venezuelan backline.
Jesus Corona’s sublime dribbling and finish in the 80th minute brought Mexico back after creating several dangerous attacks throughout the night. The 23-year-old led El Tri with six shots in the match, including the goal.
With both sides already through to the quarterfinals, Mexico finished atop Group C based on goal differential. El Tri will face the second-place finisher in Group D, currently held by Chile, while Venezuela would be meet Argentina if the group stage ended on Monday.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jesus “Tecatito” Corona wasn’t tabbed as a starter for El Tri on Monday, but his presence was certainly a game changer for the CONCACAF nation. His quick dribbling and elusiveness fooled the Venezuelan backline at an inopportune time, keeping Mexico undefeated in group play.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Venezuela looked like they were going to pull off another stunning upset tonight, but Corona had his say with the game’s second goal, which proved to be the equalizer.
MATCH TO FORGET
While Venezuela keeper Dani Hernandez stood on his head throughout the game, making seven saves, La Vinotinto’s defense let him down with 10 minutes left to play.
Venezuela impressed me in the first half with their skill and ability to press to keep Mexico on their heels. Second half they came undone by fatigue and they ran out of ideas but still should have won it if not for a moment of brilliance by Tecatito that should have never happened. How as a defender or midfielder tracking back do you not step up to the ball and try to disrupt that run Corona made by either fouling him outside of the box or stripping the ball?? They all let him waltz into the penalty area untouched or unimpeded smh. Mexico showed alot of heart though and could have stole that game at the end
I guess we know the answer as to whether FIFA/CONCACAF will sanction the FMF for the “puto” chant.
The path is still there and not at all impossible for a USA-Mexico final. 😀
Wouldn’t that be something, at a Copa America??
I can see us weasling past Ecuador but Argentina would be unplayable for El Tri or the Yanks.
I don’t know. Messi is undoubtedly the best player in the world, but he just doesn’t perform (consistently) wearing an Argentina jersey, and Argentina hasn’t won a tournament for 23 years. I don’t think Panama is a good barometer to gauge how well Argentina is playing in the Copa, just as Haiti was not one for Brazil.
Fun to see how it all plays out, anyway.
While I agree that this would be completely righteous, I’m afraid it would also lead to the South American teams sulking off and never returning, concluding that the tournament “lacks credibility”.
I was hoping for a Venezuela victory. Why? I t would have put Mexico in the quarterfinal with Argentina where I think, Mexico have a better chance of beating them.
If the US get past Ecuador, we will then have Messi and Argentina to face in the semi’s, which I think,is a lot more daunting than 40K+ screaming Mexican fans at a sold out venue but a possibility of a Dos y zero win for the US, even with Chicharito. Mexico will face the winner of the Chile/Panama match, but Colombia awaits for Los Tri.