Matters are growing for the Mexican national team as they lost 1-0 to the Venezuelan national team on Wednesday night. The win qualified Venezuela for the Copa America tournament, and although Mexico’s game is not yet over, it feels like El Tri have several chances to win the match. They not only gave Venezuela the chance to score their only goal when Julián Quiñones committed a foul. John Aramburu Salomón Rondón buried the penalty, but Mexico was awarded a penalty due to a handball that Orbelin Pineda essentially rolled into his hand. Raphael Lomo.
El Tri dominated the early part of the game, but after receiving a big call, including a red card, Irving Lozano and Raul Jimenez At home, the likes of Santiago Giménez could not defend Jamie Lozano’s selection. Having already been eliminated from the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Mexico now faces the risk of suffering the same fate in this year’s Copa America.
Venezuela had 10 shots for 1.19 xG and 2 shots on target while Mexico had 17 shots for 2.58 xG and 5 shots on target, but it’s the final score that counts. Rondón’s hold-up play was excellent and La Vinotinto made the necessary changes. Christian Casseres Jr. attempted a half to deal with the Mexican midfielder, but Lozano had no counter.
After beating Jamaica on Matchday 1, the stage is now set for their next clash. Ecuador The winner will advance to the knockout rounds. El Tri were visibly frustrated in the tight moments of the match, so their mentality will be up against one of this tournament’s outside contenders. All eyes are on what opportunities Lozano can create without Edson Alvarez, who can stabilize the midfield. Unless someone steps up and leads Mexico to a knockout, there will be more questions about him and the entire federation.
Jimenez’s concerns
There is always a difference between the form of club and county players, but in Jimenez’s case he has not shown that he can be the man to lead the line at El Tri. In 29 games for Mexico, he has 4 goals and 2 assists compared to Feyenoord’s 26 goals and 8 assists in all competitions last season. With Henry Martin sidelined, it remains to be seen what Mexico can do, especially after Jimenez automatically starts the league game.
Defensively El Tri was decent, but their offense wasn’t quite there. The addition of Colombian-born Quiñones was expected to be a huge help, but even he seemed to be pushing too hard in the game. Mexico’s strong support in the United States could translate into additional pressure, as fans booed outside the stadium during the first half against Jamaica and were frustrated by missed opportunities against Venezuela. Losing to Ecuador would require a change of direction, but where will the Mexican federation, which has already gone through so much change over the past few years, go ahead of the 2026 World Cup?
