Mexico’s loss to Venezuela at SoFi Stadium leaves El Tri’s hopes of progressing in 2024 Copa América in doubt. The 1-0 defeat, and the manner of the Mexicans’ performance, don’t augur well for their final group match against Ecuador.
Venezuela’s victory almost seemed inevitable as soon as La Vinotinto scored. So it proved.
Three Key Takeaways From Mexico’s Loss To Venezuela
Dreadful Finishing
Scoring goals, with the forward players at their disposal, shouldn’t be a problem for Mexico. But even with a goal machine up front in the shape of Santiago Giménez, they couldn’t take any of the many chances that came their way against Venezuela.
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Venezuela certainly defended valiantly, and increasingly desperately near the end of the game. But, as well as their goal, the underdogs were the closest to scoring in the first half. As they hit the post through Salomon Rondon. Mexico just didn’t look as clinical as their opponents in the final third.
That El Tri couldn’t grab the lifeline from the late penalty they were given summed the night up for the team. However, it took a brilliant save from Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo to deny Orbelin Pineda from the penalty spot.
Edson Álvarez A Big Miss
Not surprisingly the national team missed their leader Edson Álvarez. He would have offered solidity defensively as Venezuela going forward certainly caused serious problems for the country.
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It was a clumsy challenge by Julian Quinones that resulted in a penalty for La Vinotinto, that former Premier League forward Rondon coolly slotted home. The Quinones tackle summed up the general malaise. There seemed a lack of calmness at both ends of the pitch. Consequently, it’s easy to think that Álvarez’s leadership and talent in a close game would probably have made the difference against Venezuela.
Creativity Not An Issue
The one positive Mexico can take from the game at SoFi Stadium was that at least they did create chances. A side with more composure would have won this game comfortably, but they just didn’t look confident in front of goal. That confidence will not have been helped by last night’s performance going into a now vital final group game against Ecuador.
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So, Mexico have now scored one goal in two games in Group B. It was a group that they were expected to cruise through, but both games have proved to be a struggle for El Tri at 2024 Copa América. What will also concern manager Jaime Lozano is that the only goal they have scored was a long-range strike by full-back Gerardo Arteaga. Not one actual chance has yet been converted.
Against Venezuela, El Tri had nearly twice as many goal attempts as their opponents. Lozano will be hoping that everything will click for his forwards against Ecuador. Because it is now two games running that Mexico have been wasteful in front of goal.
