The future is looking bright for Venezuela.
On Sunday, in the clearest sign yet of the progress Venezuela is making under Rafael Dudamel, La Vinotinto defeated the United States men's national team 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup, and advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in history. All three goals were tallied in extra time, and Nahuel Ferraresi produced the winner in the 117th minute by one-timing the ball past Jonathan Klinsmann, Jurgen Klinsmann's son.
Venezuelaaaaa estamos en la SEMIFINAL del #U20WC entre los cuatro mejores del Mundo #VamosVinotinto #VamosVenezuela pic.twitter.com/jd3j7f9zgn
— VinotintoSub20 (@VinotintoSub20) June 4, 2017
Venezuela, whose squad boasts New York City FC's Yangel Herrera, is making its second appearance at the Under-20 World Cup, and its journey to the semi-finals marks La Vinotinto's best performance at a FIFA competition by a male team. Dudamel's side is, simply put, making history.
The game at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium was gritty, but Venezuela was the better team. Aldaberto Penaranda, who opened the scoring in the 96th minute, was the best footballer on the pitch, while Sergio Cordova wreaked havoc on the right side. La Vinotinto's midfield outplayed the USMNT's midfield from start to finish.
Off the pitch, Venezuela is in its third month of political unrest. Lawlessness is growing in the South American country. By the count of the Guardian's Virginia Lopez, 61 deaths can be attributed to the protests that erupted on May 1. Anti-government demonstrators are calling for fresh elections and an end to chronic shortages of food and medicine. The economy is cratering and there is rising anger at Nicolas Maduro and what is perceived as an increasingly authoritarian regime.
After Venezuela made history by beating the USMNT, Dudamel took to Twitter, writing: "Enjoy it Venezuela as it's you that inspires us, our country is the most beautiful in the world and we feel proud to be Venezuelan."
🇻🇪VENEZUELA disfrútalo que en ti nos inspiramos, nuestro país es el más hermoso del mundo y orgullosos nos sentimos de ser VENEZOLANOS🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/rIj539tXiP
— Rafael Dudamel (@rafaeldudamel) June 4, 2017
Next up for Venezuela, looking like the best team at the Under-20 World Cup, is a battle against Uruguay. At the Sudamericano Sub 20, which served as the qualifying tournament, La Vinotinto conceded fewer goals than any other side and was the only squad to beat La Celeste, who won the competition.
