VIDEO: Venezuela Goalkeeper Makes Critical Error Resulting in Argentina's 2nd Goal at Copa America
By Michael Luciano
21-year-old Venezuelan goalie Wuilker Fariñez isn't having the best day at the office. With his plucky Venezuelan side down 1-0 to Lionel Messi and Argentina, a routine shot on target came right at Fariñez. While this should have been an easy save, Fairñez completely muffed it, letting the ball drop right in front of Real Betis midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso, who pounded home Argentina's second goal of the night in the 74th minute.
Lo Celso capitalizes on the keeper's mistake to extend Argentina's lead! pic.twitter.com/Yt0GhiVHYL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2019
While it's easy to make Fariñez out as a buffoon after a mistake like that, the Millionarios keeper was in the middle of a standout performance between the sticks over the course of the 2019 Copa America, establishing himself as one of the best netminders in South American soccer.
This, however, is not a moment to add to the highlight reel.
?? Wuilker Faríñez is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, and he's been great this tournament. But that was a howler.
— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) June 28, 2019
Agüero's shot was right at him, but he spilled it into the worst spot and Lo Celso punished his costly error.#VENARG #Venezuela #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/ldiYBwyedi
An undermanned Venezuela was ultimately unable to dig itself out of a hole. When the final whistle sounded, Argentina had officially punched its ticket to the Copa semifinals.