Copa America: A heroic effort by Faríñez sees Colombia and Venezuela draw
Colombia dropped some valuable points against a Venezuelan team that is still in a COVID crisis in the heart of the Copa America. Venezuelan have their goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez to thank for the point.
Match Information
Colombia 0-0 Venezuela
Man of the Match
Wuilker Faríñez – Venezuela
Match Stats:
Colombia 0-0 Venezuela
This match is a classic in South America, two nations who are very close to each other and that have always shared a rivalry.
On this occasion, Colombia was the clear favorite to get the three points, mainly because of La Vinotinto’ss situation. All their players that contracted COVID are still out and one more joined the list recently, a real nightmare of events for the Venezuelans.
Even though Venezuela is playing with new players who have never played for the national team, they’re doing an amazing job. Despite their lost against Brazil we saw a good fight from them for most of the game.
In this one, they defended pretty well and were good on the counterattack all game long. Over on the other end, Colombia missed a good opportunity to go top of the group alongside Brazil who is playing phenomenal football, they crushed Perú 4-0 yesterday.
Luis Diaz got ejected at the last minutes of the game for a hard tackle and Colombia couldn’t take their chances, mainly because of Wuilker Faríñez superb form in between the sticks.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper was not part of any of the last three games for Venezuela. A decision said to be made by their manager. Faríñez had minimal minutes at Ligue 1 side, RC Lens, hence why he was benched.
Peseiro decided to start Joel Graterol who was actually pretty decent for La Vinotinto and maybe didn’t deserved to be on the bench, but what Wuilker did yesterday was simply phenomenal.
Honestly, he should never be on the bench again for Venezuela. Without him as the keeper, Colombia could have scored at least 3 or 4 goals. Wuilker put on a show with 8 magnificent saves made in the match.
Colombia Player Ratings
David Ospina – 6; Daniel Muñoz – 6.5; Yerry Mina – 6; Davinson Sanchez – 6; William Tesillo – 6; Juan Cuadrado – 6.5; Wilmar Barrios – 7; Matheus Uribe – 6.5; Edwin Cardona– 7; Luis Muriel – 6.5; Duván Zapata – 8
Subs: Jaminton Campaz – 6; Luis Díaz – 3; Miguel Angel Borja – 6
Venezuela Player Ratings
Wuilker Faríñez – 10; Yohán Cumana – 6; Luis Mago – 7; Luis Martínez – 7; Francisco La Mantia – 6.5; Alexander González – 7; José Martínez – 7.5; Júnior Moreno – 5.5; Bernaldo Manzano – 5.5; Cristian Cásseres – 6.5; Fernando Aristeguieta – 7
Subs: Yangel Herrera – 6; Sergio Córdova – 4; Edson Castillo – 4; Ronald Hernández – 4
What’s next in the Copa America group B
Venezuela’s next should be their “easiest” game of the group. They already went through the difficult encounters against Brazil and Colombia. They are expected to get a win against Ecuador or Perú, which will pretty much get them through to the next round.
La Vinotinto’s next game is against Ecuador on June 20th and if they are lucky, there is the possibility of getting some of the players who were infected by COVID back, depending on their next test result.
For Colombia, their next game would be against Perú on June 20th, with a win they would practically assure 2nd spot in Group B. Thereafter they will face Brazil in the last matchday, which will define the group.
Los Cafeteros need a victory against Perú. They haven’t been able to show a good level despite their quality in the team and this has given room for critics which can affect them later in their run.