Venezuela is undoubtedly experiencing the best moment in its football history. Will they perform well in the 2024 Copa América?
Let’s review Venezuela’s recent track record and their projections for this tournament and, possibly, the 2026 World Cup.
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The Golden Generation
Venezuela, in geopolitical terms, has already had its days of prominence on the Latin American scene.
However, as usual in this part of the globe, the interests of American imperialism clashed with regional nationalism.
Thus, the country with the largest oil reserves on the planet entered a political and institutional crisis that has lasted a long time.
Amidst all this, the country goes against this reality when it comes to football.
The Venezuelan people have never had the pleasure of seeing their national team in action at the World Cup.
Other less prominent countries in South America have already had real squads, like Bolivia and Peru.
Now, it seems to be Venezuela’s turn.
At the moment, they are surprising and occupying the fourth position in the World Cup Qualifiers. Remember that South America now has six spots, plus one for the playoffs.
As if that weren’t enough, they made a strong debut in the 2024 Copa América.
In Group B, where anything can happen, as it is made up of very evenly matched teams (Ecuador, Mexico, and the underdog Jamaica), they started on the right foot.
Taking advantage of Enner Valencia’s red card in the 22nd minute, the Vino Tinto team won 2-1 against Ecuador and took an important step towards qualification.
Ecuador, even with one player less, took the lead with a goal from Sarmiento. But in the second half, the Venezuelans turned the game around with goals from Cadiz and Bello.
That said, a victory against Jamaica, depending on the goal difference, could indicate a very important step towards the quarter-finals.
Will they manage to go far in the 2024 Copa América?
Image: Conmebol
The Pillars of Venezuela’s Golden Generation
In 2011, Venezuela achieved its best position in a Copa América and, so to speak, the best performance in its history in a competition of this magnitude, finishing in 4th place.
However, it can be said that Venezuela’s leap began under Dudamel’s command in 2016.
Since then, the Vino Tinto team adopted a way of playing that, despite some variations with the coaches that followed Dudamel (and there were quite a few), a certain standard was maintained.
Moreover, some players like Rincón and Rondón went through this entire transformation process.
Image: Transfermarkt
Both started their careers with the Venezuelan National Team in 2008. Not to mention the youth categories, which they have known since well before that time.
Today, at 36 and 34 years old, respectively, they provide all the necessary support for the younger players who have been emerging for some time.
Players who stand out in the Brazilian Championship like Soteldo, Savarino, Ferraresi, and Kervin Andrade are present in the team and are in full development.
Besides the Brazilian market, the team has several players in the MLS and Europe.
Herrera, for example, was one of the highlights of Girona’s historic campaign in La Liga, scoring five goals in 29 matches, an impressive mark for a central midfielder.
Thus, a very solid base has been forming, allowing Venezuela to see the real possibility of qualifying for their first World Cup, as well as having an excellent campaign in this 2024 Copa América.
Image: Transfermarkt
Written by Vitor F L Miller.
