Copa America 2016: Jesus Manuel Corona's touch of brilliance salvages draw for Mexico to top Group C

Mexico progress to the Copa America quarter-finals as group winners and will likely avoid Argentina

Tuesday 14 June 2016 01:58 EDT
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Jesus Manuel Corona celebrates with his Mexico team-mates after scoring against Venezuela
Jesus Manuel Corona celebrates with his Mexico team-mates after scoring against Venezuela (Getty)

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Mexico's Jesus Manuel Corona weaved his way past five players before firing home in the 80th minute to give his side a 1-1 draw with Venezuela that secured top spot in Group C of the Copa America on Monday.

By topping the group Mexico are likely to avoid Argentina in the quarter-finals. Argentina require just a point in their final game against Bolivia to be sure of top spot in Group D.

Mexico and Venezuela each finished with seven points from their three matches but 'El Tri' had a superior goal difference.

Venezuela had seized the advantage in the 10th minute when Jose Manuel Velazquez silenced the pro-Mexico crown in Houston with a sensational overhead kick.

Jesus Manuel Corona jinked past five Venezuelan defenders to score the equaliser for Mexico
Jesus Manuel Corona jinked past five Venezuelan defenders to score the equaliser for Mexico (Getty)

Venezuela's Josef Martinez came close to scoring with a bicycle kick but Mexico goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona saved well. Venezuela keeper Daniel Hernandez also produced a string of saves before conceding his first goal of the tournament.

In the group's other match, Uruguay finished the tournament on a high with a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in Santa Clara, California.

With both teams already eliminated after losing their opening two games, Uruguay went ahead through Abel Hernandez in the 21st minute, doubled their lead on an own goal in the 66th minute before Mathias Corujo made it 3-0.

Jamaica ended the tournament without picking up a point or scoring a goal.

Reuters

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