FarÃñez goalkeeping heroics secure Venezuela a big point against Colombia
2021-06-17
An unbeatable, heroic Wuilker Fariñez performance was responsible for the Venezuelan point secured against Colombia, this Thursday in Group B of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021.
The Vinotinto goalkeeper was able to keep out all of the Colombia attacks with increasingly inexplicable reaction stops, which denied the dominant cafeteros.
Edwin Cardona was key for Colombia in working openings with his technique and vision in the first half as the side frequently worked the ball into the box.
With just 2 minutes on the clock Mateus Uribe failed to convert a good chance set up by Colombia’s creative 10 and then 2 minutes later Duvan Zapata hit a powerful strike which was stopped by Wuilker Fariñe
Later in the first half itwas again Cardona the creator who volleyed a low cross which a sliding Yerry Mina just failed to convert into the open net.
Gradually José Peseiro’s side began to settle into the game after an initial onslaught and began to work some chances of their on the counter.
The strength of Zapata was causing problems but his attacking efforts were repeatedly rebuffed by the lightening quick reactions of FarÃñez.
Moments later the Venezuelan keeper was once again the hero with a sharp save with his feet that denied Luis Muriel.
The start of the second followed the same dynamics: Colombia attacked, Venezuela defended. FarÃñez made yet another spectacular stop as Uribe’s cinematic chest and bicyle kick was tipped over with an equally acrobatic fingertip stop.
Uribe arrived in the box again towards the end of the game and his powerful header was once again stopped by the star of the show.
Venezuela pick up thier first point of the tournament with the extremely hard-fought point against a confident Colombian side who have 4 points following last week’s win against Ecaudor.
NUMBERS FROM THE GAME
•After this draw with Venezuela, Colombian are now 6 consecutive games unbeaten against the Vinotinto in all competitions (3 wins, 3 draws). The Colombians have not lost to Venezuela since June 2015 when they were beaten 1-0 at the CONMEBOL Copa América that year.
• This result means Colombia have not conceded in 5 of their 6 games against Venezuela at the CONMEBOL Copa América (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
• Colombia had 23 shots against Venezuela which is the most in any Copa America game against a CONMEBOL rival since 2007. They had 27 shots against an invited CONCACAF side at the 2011 Copa America.
• Wuilker Fariñez made 8 saves against Colombia which is the most of any Venezuelan goalkeeper at the Copa America since 2007.
Data: OPTA