PORTO midfielder Jesus Manuel Corona scored a superb individual goal as Mexico snatched a 1-1 draw with Venezuela to qualify for the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals as the group winner Monday.

    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 meters 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 that was enough to see the side take top spot in Group C on goal difference from Venezuela, which was already assured of a place in the last eight after a shock win over Uruguay in their second match.

    More importantly, Mexico’s first place finish means the side will likely avoid tournament favorite Argentina, which is expected to clinch top spot in Group D when the side plays Bolivia in a later match.

    Osorio later defended his decision to pick an untested starting lineup.

    “Rotation is part of life when you have a squad of players,” Osorio said.

    “We give opportunities to all players because we believe that they are all important. We selected a good group to compete against Venezuela,” he said.

    Mexico dominated for the remainder of the half, but was unable to find a breakthrough as its makeshift starting lineup struggled to generate any fluidity in attack.

    Venezuela was lucky to avoid a penalty decision late in the first half when Wilker Angel looked to have handled in the area after Hector Moreno’s header.

    Mexico made a spirited start to the second half, with Corona shooting well wide of the post early on.

    (SD-Agencies)