And yet Venezuela managed triple the number of points in that single game than it has had in six CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers thus far. Then they played a spirited match against Mexico only to lose to the group favorites in front of 83,263 spectators at the Rose Bowl. His play in the first two games left Venezuela as the only team in the tournament that hadn’t allowed a goal.
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After three games, Mexico and Venezuela are both on seven points, but Mexico has a better goal difference.
Venezuela alters the course of the situation in Copa America. On Monday, El Tri will face a Venezuela team which has been the surprise of the tournament. A few days later though they would out do themselves when they faced Uruguay. And there were plenty of those flags being waved throughout the crowd, with one group of people bringing a flag that was about 10 rows high and 20 seats wide in Mexico’s colors but that featured a huge image of Pancho Villa.
History is stacked heavily in Mexico’s favour with Venezuela yet to win any of the 11 meetings between the two countries, including defeats to El Tri in the 1995 and 1999 Copa America – both 3-1. Already qualified, they must beat Mexico to top the group.
As of right now, there isn’t a hotter team in the world than Mexico. However, as the match wore on Mexico began to grow into the game. A win this week would mark their third on the bounce, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2007.
On more than one occasion Mexico defender Diego Reyes had to have a one-on-one chat with defensive midfielder, Jesus Molina, because Reyes observed that Molina was not quick when coming back to defend.
Mexico will most likely have the most of the ball and be expected to dictate the pace and style of the match.
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Hernandez had a good chance from a free-kick in the 70th, just after Torino forward Josef Martinez – who had also just come on – was put through on goal, but his weak effort was easily saved by Corona. You can expect Andres Guardado to start though, after missing the last match through injury. A win this week for Juan Carlos Osorio’s side would mark their 12 on the bounce, and would likely leave them as many people’s underdog tip for glory come the end of the tournament.
