Salomon Rondon scored a penalty in the second half to send Venezuela into the quarterfinals of the Copa América on Wednesday, beating Mexico 1-0 in Group B.
Jamaica was eliminated from the event in the same game.
Rondon, who has 42 goals for Venezuela all-time, made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 57th minute when Julian Quinones brought down Jon Aramburu in the box. He beat Julio Gonzalez, the Mexico goalkeeper, and put the ball in the bottom corner.
As a result, Venezuela won its first game against Mexico in 13 games.
As the game was coming to a close, Mexico was given a penalty for handball, but Orbelin Pineda’s penalty kick was blocked by Rafael Romo.
With the win, Venezuela, who already beat Ecuador in their first game, went to the top of the group with six points and a game to spare in the round of eight.
On Sunday, Mexico plays Ecuador in Arizona in a game that will decide the other qualifier from the group. El Tri needs to win to move on.
Jamaica is out because they already lost to Mexico and Ecuador, so it doesn’t matter how their last game against Venezuela in Texas goes.
If Venezuela draws or beats Jamaica in their last game, they could win their group and avoid playing reigning champions Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Romo saved a penalty, which was one of five stops that kept Mexico from scoring an equalizer. His last two saves came after Pineda missed a penalty.
First, he bravely blocked Cesar Huerta’s low drive in the 88th minute. Then, in stoppage time, he stopped Guillermo Martinez’s close-range shot.
Mexico had the better of the first 30 minutes, but Romo was able to stop Santiago Gimenez’s weak shot after Luis Chavez passed the ball to him.
Venezuela got better as the game went on. In the 34th minute, Rondon hit the post with a dipping half-volley, and in the 50th, Yeferson Soteldo forced Gonzalez to make a save near the post.
Personal information
José Salomón Rondón: Career Overview
| Full Name | José Salomón Rondón Giménez |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 September 1989 (age 35) |
| Place of Birth | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Position(s) | Striker |
| Current Team | Pachuca |
| Number | 23 |
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 1996–2004 | San José de Calasanz |
| 2004–2005 | Deportivo Gulima |
| 2005–2006 | Aragua |
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2008 | Aragua | 49 | (15) |
| 2008–2010 | Las Palmas | 46 | (10) |
| 2010–2012 | Málaga | 67 | (25) |
| 2012–2014 | Rubin Kazan | 36 | (13) |
| 2014–2015 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 37 | (20) |
| 2015–2019 | West Bromwich Albion | 108 | (24) |
| 2018–2019 | → Newcastle United (loan) | 32 | (11) |
| 2019–2021 | Dalian Professional | 27 | (14) |
| 2020–2021 | → CSKA Moscow (loan) | 10 | (4) |
| 2021–2022 | Everton | 27 | (1) |
| 2023 | River Plate | 31 | (10) |
| 2024– | Pachuca | 34 | (15) |
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | Venezuela U20 | 11 | (7) |
| 2008– | Venezuela | 114 | (45) |
Career Stats
Salomón Rondón: Career Stats
| Appearances | 167 |
|---|---|
| Goals | 36 |
| Wins | 45 |
| Losses | 77 |
| Goals | 36 |
|---|---|
| Goals per match | 0.22 |
| Headed goals | 12 |
| Goals with right foot | 13 |
| Goals with left foot | 9 |
| Penalties scored | 0 |
| Freekicks scored | 1 |
| Shots | 359 |
| Shots on target | 112 |
| Shooting accuracy % | 31% |
| Hit woodwork | 11 |
| Big chances missed | 34 |
| Assists | 15 |
|---|---|
| Passes | 3,135 |
| Passes per match | 18.77 |
| Big Chances Created | 13 |
| Crosses | 96 |
| Yellow cards | 11 |
|---|---|
| Red cards | 2 |
| Fouls | 156 |
| Offsides | 110 |
| Tackles | 54 |
|---|---|
| Blocked shots | 93 |
| Interceptions | 41 |
| Clearances | 154 |
| Headed Clearances | 109 |
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