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Salomon Rondon struck a second-half penalty to send Venezuela into the Copa América quarterfinals on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Mexico in Group B, a result that also sent Jamaica crashing out of the tournament.
Rondon — Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer with 42 — 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.
The result saw Venezuela end a 13-game winless run against Mexico.
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.
The win moved Venezuela, which beat Ecuador in their opening match, up to six points at the top of the group and secured their 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, with El Tri needing a win to advance.
Jamaica is out irrespective of the outcome of their last match against Venezuela in Texas, having already lost to Mexico and Ecuador.
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