OK. OK. Now that I have had time to breath after Mexico’s thrilling 1-1 draw with Venezuela, a result that gives Mexico first place in Group C, I can relate to all of you what just happened.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!
Honestly, this Copa America has been one of the most exciting tournaments I have ever seen. Euro 2016 has been good, but not this good. The last World Cup was good, but not this good. And Jesus “Tecatito” Corona just scored the best goal we have seen so far, and we have seen some really good goals.
Don’t believe me? Just watch:
And watch it again and again, because that is one of the best goals you will see all year: the run, the finish, the context, the roar of the crowd, it all sends chills down your spine. This is what Copa America is about, and Mexico and Tecatito have defined it anew.
Mexico came into this game with a starting lineup that screamed, “We don’t take Venezuela seriously.” No Chicharito, no Miguel Layun, no Rafa Marquez and no Tecatito. And you know what? Mexico paid the price:
After you have let it sink in that a scissor kick golazo wasn’t the best goal in this game, understand what it meant. Had the result stayed 1-0 in favor of Venezuela, Mexico likely would have had to face Argentina in the next round.
I like Mexico, I believe in their talent, but it is very hard to feel confident that they would have beaten Argentina. Looking at Mexico for most of the first half, however, you would have thought they were happy to settle.
Eventually Mexico did play with the kind of desperation I believe their position required. They dominated the game more and more, but couldn’t seem to buy a goal. This epic save sequence by Dani Hernandez drove that feeling home:
WHAT. A. SAVE, Dani Hernandez. #MEXvVEN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/11A5Fctbu5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2016
(THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN THE SAME GAME THAT THOSE TWO OTHER GOALS HAPPENED IN!)
Finally, ironically after he had just sent a shot wide after a great run, Tecatito scored his golazo.
There was more action after that, including an attempt that sent Mexico keeper Corona scrambling to make a save, but Mexico held out 1-1.
Mexico will now likely play Chile in the quarter-finals. Let’s hope we have all caught out breath by then.
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