Corona’s late strike delivers Mexico into Copa quarters

HOUSTON: Porto midfielder Jesus Manuel “Tecatito” Corona scored a superb individual goal as Mexico snatched a 1-1 draw with Venezuela to qualify for the Copa America

HOUSTON: Porto midfielder Jesus Manuel “Tecatito” Corona scored a superb individual goal as Mexico snatched a 1-1 draw with Venezuela to qualify for the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals as group winners here Monday.

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Mexico appeared to be heading for an embarrassing defeat against the Venezuelans, who led through a 10th minute overhead kick by defender Jose Manuel Velazquez at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

A risky gamble by Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio looked to have backfired disastrously after he decided to bench most of his first-choice side for a game his team only needed to draw to top Group C.

However with time running out substitute Corona picked up the ball from around 40 yards from goal and embarked on a mazy dribble that took him past five Venezuela players before he blasted his shot past goalkeeper Dani Hernandez.

The goal gave Mexico a draw which was enough to see them take top spot in Group C on goal difference from Venezuela, who were already assured of a place in the last eight after a shock win over Uruguay in their second match.

URUGUAY BEAT JAMAICA

Uruguay ended their campaign with a 3-0 win against Jamaica in a Group C match at Levi’s Stadium. Abel Hernandez started the scoring with a pinpoint pass from Nicolas Lodeiro in the 21st minute here on Monday. It was the two team’s final group phase match.