INGLEWOOD.- The surprising Venezuela and the ‘local’ Mexico will compete on Wednesday for the first ticket in Group B of the America Cup 2024 to the quarter-finals, in a second day of the group stage in which Ecuador and Jamaica arrive with the noose around their necks, in need of a victory.
Vinotintos and Aztecs won their debuts against Ecuador and Jamaica on Saturday and lead the series with three points each, while the tricolor and the Caribbean have no points.
The Venezuelan team has been taking firm steps to bury its nickname as the eternal South American Cinderella and against Ecuador it took another step in that direction.
Venezuela added a new achievement in its history on Saturday in Santa Clara, California: it was the first time it won – in any competition – away from home after starting at a disadvantage.
To do this, he took advantage of the extra man he had at his disposal at Levi’s Stadium for more than an hour of play to overcome Ecuador 2-1.
On Wednesday, they will have another demanding test to demonstrate their progress: Mexico, the declining giant of CONCACAF, which barely managed to beat Jamaica in its tournament debut with a saving goal from Gerardo Arteaga.
Scenarios and schedules:
The match, which closes the second round of Group B, will be played at the imposing Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, with capacity for 70,000 spectators, from 01:00 GMT on Thursday.
Three hours earlier (22:00 GMT), in the futuristic Allegiant Stadium (65,000 seats) in Las Vegas, Ecuador and Jamaica will play for their future in the Copa America.
Both teams know that they have no other option than to get the three points if they want to have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals when the tie ends on Sunday, when Ecuador will face Mexico in Glendale (Arizona) and Venezuela will face the Caribbean team in Austin (Texas).
