HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 13: Jesus Manuel Corona #10 of Mexico celebrates a second half goal with his teammates during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group match between Mexico and Venezuela at NRG Stadium on June 13, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Day 11 in Copa America — Mexico finishes first, Venezuela gives up late lead to lose group

Posted by on Jun 14, 2016 14:05

Let us look at what the last match day for Group C had in store as we look at what was Day 11 in the Copa America Centenario.

1) Biggest Winner: Mexico

Mexico should build a statue for Jesus Manuel “El Tecatito” Corona, as his late equalizer against Venezuela won Mexico Group C. This is vital for the Mexicans as: 1) It keeps the unbeaten streak under new manager Juan Carlos Osorio alive and 2) If things pan out as expected in Group D, Corona has saved his team from facing off against Argentina in the quarterfinals. Mexico has not fared so well against Argentina in knockout stages of competitions, as well as in general terms losing five out of six meetings since 2005. So they will breathe easy knowing that there is only a slim chance that they will not have to face Messi and his gang — yet.

2) Standout Performer: Daniel Hernandez (Venezuela)

Daniel Hernandez was truly a wall today, and even though one goal did manage to slip by, he was still a force for Venezuela. His amazing reflexes and the saves he made today against a tough, attacking Mexico squad was truly a sight to behold and look for him to be crucial for Venezuela going into the knockout stages. Because if he is as good as he was today, he can carry la Vinotinto far into the tournament.

 

3) Biggest Loser: Mexico’s fans

Everyone is starting to get fed up with the Mexico fans’ lack of class in this Copa America and today was no different. Just log into Twitter and you will see fans and others calling out the Mexican fans for their consistent chant — you know “that” one — and throwing beer at opposing players when they score goals and throwing beer around when they score. More than getting fed up with the Mexico fans, people are starting to get fed up with the federations that have been lenient with the Mexican fans, saying that they are going to discipline them, but eventually never do. Will Mexico fans keep on throwing beer around? Probably. Will they keep using the “puto” chant? Most definitely. Will someone (*cough* FIFA *cough* CONCACAF *cough* FMF) do something about it? Not likely. Stay classy Mexico fans.

4) Best Tweet: 

5) Biggest Surprise: Juan Carlos Osorio’s (Mexico) Tactics

I know you want to rest your star player as you have already advanced into the next round, but with the prospect of facing Argentina, one would think that Osorio would have gone with a more offensive-minded Mexico squad. It was surprising to see Chicharito on the bench to start the game and, although Mexico got their equalizer, Mexico is too good of a squad and was tapped to beat Venezuela. Also to leave out Rafa Márquez and Raúl Jiménez out of the lineups after being stalwarts for Mexico early on was a bad decision that Mexico paid the price on defensively.

6) Worst Moment: Edinson Cavani’s Many Misses

My heart goes out to Edinson Cavani. He came into this tournament having not scored one goal in Copa America, but lots of players have, so no big deal. But put into perspective that Cavani has now played three Copa Americas, came into this Copa sans-Suarez so more of the pressure to score goals fell on him and it makes you feel for the guy. And as for today? Cavani must have broken ever mirror and spilled every salt shaker in the Bay Area to receive the amount of bad luck he did today. No matter how much he got close to scoring the ball had a magnet that pulled it away from goal, it was maddening to see Cavani struggle the way he did.

7) Best Goal: Jesus Manuel Corona (Mexico)  

The way Tecatito maneuvered his way past five, six Venezuelan defenders was a thing of pure skill. Good on you JM Corona. Golazo.

8) Extra Time:

A great day of football, as Mexico is going on as the group winner, however not the result that people expected. Also, sad to see two great footballing nations such as Uruguay and Jamaica out so early in the tournament. Uruguay with it’s long history in the Copa and Jamaica with their pluckiness and endearing attitude will be watching the rest of the Copa America from the comforts of their own homes now.

9) Tuesday’s Games: 

The day is here! The last day of the Copa America Centenario group stages come to an end as Group D finalized with Chile and Panama play for their knockout lives at 8 p.m. ET immediately followed by Argentina and Bolivia at 10 p.m. ET. Winner of the group plays Venezuela and runner-up will play Mexico.

 

About Josh Espinal

I am a multimedia journalism graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso. Soccer is more than a passion for me, it's basically life. Follow me on twitter at @joshbruv and see me tweet about soccer in almost every language imaginable.

Quantcast