Mexico entered its second match of Copa América 2024 with a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, but instead, Venezuela pulled off a 1-0 upset over El Tri to win Group B and advance to the quarterfinals along with Argentina.
Mexico now faces Ecuador on Sunday in a do-or-die match with the final Group B spot in the knockout stage on the line. Mexico will have to win that match to avoid elimination.
Check out the highlights below!
Check out what Jimmy Conrad and Melissa Ortiz had to say on "FOX Soccer NOW" about Venezuela, No. 54 in the FIFA World Rankings, taking down 15th-ranked Mexico.
Mexico continued to be held off the scoresheet through the final whistle despite plenty of opportunities, with 17 shots and six on goal. The El Tri fans — and some players — showed frustration as the seconds ticked down in Venezuela's stunning upset.
Mexico's pressure seemed to finally pay off after a VAR review ruled Venezuela committed a handball in the box — but Orbelin Pineda's ensuing penalty try was saved by Rafael Romo.
El Tri may have been able to tie this game had Luis Chavez been able to finish this pass.
Mexican players believed they deserved a penalty chance of their own after the ball appeared to make contact with a Venezulan defender's arm.
Guillermo Martinez nearly evened the score on this blistering run and header off a ball from Luis Chavez, but Rafael Romo's best save of the night kept his team ahead.
After Jon Aramburu earned a penalty thanks to a hard Julian Quinones tackle in the box, Venezuela captain Salomon Rondón hit home the penalty kick for the first goal of the match.
Venezuela continued to push for an opening goal with two quality chances in short succession, but still could not find the back of the net.
An exciting but scoreless game so far has the attention of comedian and viral sensation Druski, who's in attendance in person for this Copa América match.
It was Venezuela's turn to nearly get on the board, as Alexander Gonzalez's strike got past goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez but hit the post.
Santi Giménez got another quality chance, but he badly mishit his one-on-one chance against Venezuela's keeper.
Yeferson Soteldo got a clean look from just beyond the box, but his shot went just high of goal.
Mexico nearly took a lead in the first minute thanks to a beautiful buildup, but Uriel Antuna's cross was slightly ahead of Santi Giménez.
