Venezuelan people have something to celebrate as their soccer team, La Vinotinto, managed to defeat Uruguay for the first time at a Copa América. The Venezuelan eleven is not doing so well at the World Cup qualifiers, but with yesterday’s victory, people can finally say they are getting better. The team coached by Rafael Dudamel won the game by “la minima” (the minimum) 1 – 0.
The game was full of intensity and both goalkeepers, Dani Hernández and Fernando Muslera, did an incredible job with some amazing blocks, especially from the man of the Galatasaray. Uruguay was more in control of the ball, but both teams had very offensive playstyles.
The man of the match, Salomon Rondon, scored the winning goal in the best play of the game. Alejandro Guerra, who plays at the Atletico Nacional in Colombia, got in possession of the ball in Venezuela’s half of the field. Then, he outsprinted the lateral defense and shot the arch. In an incredible show of experience, Guerra noticed the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Muslera, was too far from the arch and seized the opportunity by performing a hat trick like shot. Muslera also showed his skill as he managed to block the ball with his fingertips. However, Salomon Rondon was well positioned to receive the rebound and score.
The entire game was full of action
Edinson Cavani, one of the forwards, missed two clear goal opportunities. In that regard, the Venezuelan team showed weakness in the offense as they lost, at least, three clear goal situations. Uruguay’s fan base went wild when the man of the Barcelona, Luis Suarez, started warming up. However, Coach Tabarez did not let him play, and Suarez was seen losing his temper over the decision. In the end, he had to sit tight and watch his team lose.
Uruguay, FIFA rank 9th, was the clear favorite in the game. But in a very exciting game, Venezuela let clear that the final score is the result of what happens on the field. The result leaves La Celeste on the brink of elimination. As a curious fact, defender Maxi Pereira participated in his 113th match with the national team becoming the leader in this category. Before that, Diego Forlan was the player with more games played with La Celeste.
The Rose Field saw the Mexican team dominating the Reggae Boyz 2 – 0 with goals from Javier Hernández and Oribe Peralta, which leaves Jamaica, which is bad news for La Celeste. The tournament is advancing, and the number of teams will soon reduce. Today, Chile will meet Bolivia at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough at 7:00 P.M. and Argentina will face Panama at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Yesterday’s results put Mexico and Venezuela at the top of group C with 6 points each which leave Uruguay and Jamaica with a foot on the plane back home. In group D things are not that simple. Argentina and Panama will probably leave everything on the field as they are looking for the number one spot with 6 points. If there are no draws, group D would have one team with 6 points, 2 with 3 points and one with a lot of packing to do.
Source: Copa America 2016