Mexico’s Carlos Rodriguez, center, controls the ball during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico’s Luis Romo, left, attempts to tackle Venezuela’s Yefferson Soteldo during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo blocks a shot by Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano gestures from the sidelines during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo stops a shot by Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Yangel Herrera heads the ball over Mexico’s Carlos Rodriguez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Jose Martinez leaps for the ball next to Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela coach Fernando Batista gives instructions from the sidelines during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga controls the ball in front of Venezuela’s Eduard Bello during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Uriel Antuna, right, and Venezuela’s Yefferson Soteldo reach for the ball during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano makes a face on the sidelines during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Referee Raphael Claus from Brazil books Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico’s Johan Vasquez, lett, vies for possession against Venezuela’s Eduard Bello during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano yells out instructions from the sidelines during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, left, scores on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, center, celebrates after scoring on a penalty shot during their Copa America Group B match against Mexico on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Venzuela held on for a 1-0 win. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuelan players celebrate after Salomon Rondon scored their opening goal from the penalty spot against Mexico during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico’s Johan Vasquez, right, challenges Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez eyes the ball during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, top, heads the ball over Mexico’s Luis Romo during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Eduard Bello, right, is defended by Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Julian Quinonez, left, heads the ball against Venezuela’s Yangel Herrera during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo, center, reacts after blocking a penalty by Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Venezuela’s Cristian Casseres, bottom, falls in front of Mexico’s Luis Chavez during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano talks to Gerardo Arteaga during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Miguel Navarro, left, and Yefferson Soteldo celebrate after beating 1-0 Mexico during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda misses on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda reacts after missing on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Guillermo Martinez has his shot blocked by Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda reacts after missing on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s fans celebrate after their team beating 1-0 Mexico during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu, left, defends on Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo, left, stops a shot during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico fans react during a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano gives instructions during a Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu celebrates during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Referee Raphael Claus speaks to Mexico defender Cesar Montes, right, during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Venezuela forward Salomon Rondon eyes the ball during a Copa America Group B match against Mexico on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Venezuela defender Miguel Navarro, left, and Mexico forward Uriel Antuna vie for a header during a Copa America Group B match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico defender Jorge Sanchez heads the ball during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Mexico’s Guillermo Martinez, left,collides with Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico forward Uriel Antuna reacts during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico forward Uriel Antuna claps during a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda reacts after missing on a penalty kick during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela players react after a missed penalty kick by Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda during a Copa America Group B soccer match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Santiago Gimenez of Mexico shoots on target as Rafael Romo of Venezuela tries to block the ball during the Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Venezuela players celebrate after a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu (4) celebrates during a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mexico fans react after their team lost to Venezuela, 1-0, in a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Players of Venezuela celebrate their victory after the Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Venezuela players celebrate after a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans react after a Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico players walk off the field after a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Venezuela fans react after their team defeated Mexico, 1-0, in a Copa America Group B match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico fans cheer before a Copa America Group B match against Venezuela on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
A fan of Mexico wearing a wrestling mask poses for a photo prior to a Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
A fan of Mexico gestures before the Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
A fan of Mexico looks on prior to the Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Venezuela’s Yefferson Soteldo warms up prior to a Copa America Group B soccer match against Mexico, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
A Mexico fan waits for the start of a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
A Mexico fan adjusts his headband prior to a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Players of Mexico huddle prior to a Copa America Group B match between Venezuela and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
A Mexico fan waits for the start of a Copa America Group B soccer match against Venezuela, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
INGLEWOOD — The Copa America tournament offered the Mexican national team a unique set of challenges ahead of the upcoming push toward the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Jaime Lozano chose to select an inexperienced roster, looking to start a youth movement in the program.
After Wednesday night, there is a strong possibility that Mexico’s tournament could end this weekend, which would leave a lot of questions to be answered regarding the future.
Salomón Rondón converted a penalty shot in the 57th minute, and Venezuela survived some harrowing moments for a 1-0 win in front of 72,773 at SoFi Stadium.
“We are very happy to bring joy to Venezuelan people,” Venezuela coach Fernando Batista said. “It’s always nice to win. We were organized, never giving up attitude, making sacrifices … sometimes we didn’t have possession, but we never gave up.
“I always tell them that they have to believe in themselves and as a group and they did that.”
The win moves Venezuela into sole possession of first place in Group B on six points (2-0) and clinches a berth in the upcoming quarterfinals. Mexico (1-1) is on three points, tied with Ecuador.
Venezuela’s lead didn’t look as if it would hold up as Mexico’s Orbelín Pineda stepped up to take a penalty after a handball was called and confirmed via video review. Pineda fired low and to Venezuela’s goalkeeper Rafael Romo’s right and Romo came up with the save.
Mexico piled up on the chances after that, but were unable to beat Romo, who finished with five saves and earned Man of the Match honors. Venezuela ended a 13-game winless streak against El Tri.
The first half was a frustrating one for Mexico, especially for forward Santiago Gimenez. Gimenez, who scored the winning goal in Mexico’s Gold Cup final against Panama, also at SoFi Stadium, missed a prime scoring chance in the 19th minute. Gimenez was in a 1-on-1 situation but he whiffed on the attempt.
Later, Rondón’s chance at the opening goal hit the post, eventually sending the game into halftime scoreless.
Mexico’s tournament got off to a mixed start with its 1-0 victory over Jamaica last Saturday. However, in the first half, captain Edson Alvarez (Manchester City) suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of the tournament. In a social media message, Alvarez said he was making the decision to stay with the team “until the end to support and encourage them.”
Venezuela’s best finish ever in the Copa America was fourth in 2011.
In Wednesday’s other Group B game, Ecuador (1-1) moved to three points with a 3-1 win against Jamaica (0-2).
The teams conclude group stage play on Sunday. Venezuela faces Jamaica at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
“We need to remain calm and with our feet on the ground,” Batista said. “We are going to enjoy this tonight, but tomorrow we are going to be focused on Jamaica.”
While the Vinotinto reached the quarterfinals for the third time in four tournaments, Mexico is on the verge of first-round elimination for the third time in its last four Copa America trips. El Tri will meet Ecuador at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with a chance to advance out of the group at stake for both nations.
“We still have an opportunity (to advance),” Mexico coach Jaime Lozano said. “This was a heated match, players were very frustrated and with coming off of matches like this and our performance, we will work for a win.
“This team performs well in adversity. No one is getting off of this ship. I think we will make it. We have one result we’re after and it is one that takes us to the next round.”
In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Mexico was eliminated in the first round for the first time since 1978. They lost to the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League final in March and have not beaten the Americans since 2019.
“It’s a learning experience, but I’m proud of the team because they never stopped fighting. Now it’s up to us and we just talked about it in the locker room,” Lozano said. “We are hurt now, but playing like this, it’s going to be hard for us to lose another game.”
Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a penalty kick during their Copa America Group B match against Mexico on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Venezuela held on for a 1-0 win that secured their spot in the quarterfinals. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
