Copa America 2024: Rondon sends Venezuela into quarters with win over Mexico, Jamaica eliminated

Venezuela qualified for the Copa America 2024 quarterfinals after a 1-0 win against Mexico at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, center, celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal from the penalty spot during a Copa America Group B match Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Inglewood, California. | Photo Credit: AP

Salomon Rondon struck a second-half penalty to send Venezuela into the Copa America quarterfinals on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Mexico in Group B.

This result also sent Jamaica crashing out of the tournament.

Rondon made no mistake from the spot in the 57th minute after Jon Aramburu was brought down inside the box by Julian Quinones, sending Mexico keeper Julio Gonzalez the wrong way and slotting home into the bottom corner.

Mexico earned a penalty of their own for a handball in the dying minutes, but Rafael Romo got down low to parry Orbelin Pineda’s 87th-minute spot kick.

AS IT HAPPENED: Venezuela vs Mexico highlights

The win moved Venezuela, which beat Ecuador in its opening match, up to six points at the top of the group and secured its progress to the last eight with a game to spare.

Mexico plays Ecuador in Arizona on Sunday in a match that will decide the other qualifier from the group.

Jamaica is out irrespective of the outcome of its last match against Venezuela in Texas, having already lost to Mexico and Ecuador.