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Alex Kirkland, ESPN FC
Venezuela Goalie Rafael Romero said his team was “underrated” later Their 1-0 South American Football Cup win Mexico on Wednesday, criticizing what he called the “arrogance” and “ignorance” of the Mexican media ahead of the clash.
Romo, 34, saved the Mexican substitute’s 87th-minute penalty Orbelín Pineda — Later Salomon Rondon had previously given Venezuela the lead from the penalty spot – making it two wins in two as they topped Group B.
Venezuela are now guaranteed a place in the Copa América quarter-finals ahead of their final group stage match against Jamaica in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, while Mexico will need to beat Ecuador in Glendale, Arizona, to progress.
“Mexico is a great team, playing well” Romo told TUDN. “We have the humility to acknowledge our opponents. We don’t have the arrogance, the ignorance that many Mexican journalists have, who have underestimated us.
“We came here to do our job and we got three points which were very valuable for us.”
Venezuela had not beaten Mexico in 13 games before Wednesday’s match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Before the match, front page of the Mexican sports newspaper Record headlined “Venezuela, I am your father” – with an image of Darth Vader – highlighting Mexico’s “absolute dominance” in previous meetings.
Venezuela were eliminated in the group stage at the 2021 Copa América, finishing bottom of the group, while in 2019 they were defeated by Argentina in the quarterfinals.
They have been in impressive form in recent months and have lost only once in their last eight matches.
“I am happy that we were able to bring joy to the Venezuelan people. We played for that,” said Venezuela coach Fernando Batista. “But we need to stay calm and keep our feet on the ground.”
