Venezuela 2-0 Bolivia Player Ratings: Salomon Rondon on Target as Venezuela Inch Closer Towards the World Cup

Solomon Rondon's goal helps Venezuela grab 3 crucial points in their hunt for World Cup Qualification. The hosts won the game 2-0 against a timid Bolivia, who were afraid to come out of their shell. Bolivia first gifted the lead for the hosts with a comical own goal that would go viral quickly. They conceded one more goal and had no reply in attack as the game dragged towards the full-time whistle without much action.

Bolivia started the game brightly, but then it became a terrible mess as they conceded a silly own goal. Hector Cuellar played a simple pass to his goalkeeper, but the custodian made a simple mistake of taking his eye off the ball. The ball bounced in front of him, and it completely caught him unaware as it entered the net and embarrassing his colleagues and opponents at once. However, this allowed Bolivia to build their footing in the game and then thrive.

It was the hosts who struck again as Bolivia couldn't fight back. The veteran striker Salomon Rondon was on the target in the 30th minute to make it 2-0 to send his team into huge celebrations. The next hour that followed was dull and had only one conclusion.

Despite the number of changes made, neither side could change the newfound equilibrium as the hosts successfully shut shop. Bolivia were toothless in attack as their young attack was tossed aside by the strong defence. As the referee blew his whistle, Venezuela consolidated their grip on the 7th and final qualifying spot for the World Cup playoff. They hope to get the job done soon as Bolivia are left searching for answers to end their six-game winless run.

Here are the Venezuela national football team player ratings vs the Bolivia national football team player ratings.

Venezuela National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Rafael Romo-6.5/10

Despite Bolivia's persistence, he was only seriously threatened once, and he did well to save the attempt and keep his clean sheet.

Defenders

Jon Aramburu-7.5/10

Posed a genuine threat in attacks and had a great chance to score as he received an offload from Rondon outside the box. He put in a fine defensive shift against the threats on the flank as well.

Nahuel Ferraresi-7.5/10

Kept his eye firmly on the opponents and son the highest number of tackles of the game. His passing helped his side get out of sticky situations as well.

Wilker Angel-7/10

He was a dual machine that kept on winning challenges against the opposition on the ground and off it as well. His good positioning helped him cut out many crosses and shots.

Miguel Navarro-6.5/10

One of his more clamer appearances where he was a passenger on the side. Couldn't affect his side's final third play but made sure he stuck with defence as they saw out the game.

Midfielders

Eduard Bello-6/10

Played the game on the right flank and failed to have the impact he would've loved to have on the game. The opposition full-backs enjoyed having a go at him as he lost plenty of duels.

Jose Andres Martinez-7.5/10

He was the most defensively minded midfielder on the pitch for his side, and he made it count with a lot of nitty gritty tackles. Recovered the ball nearly 10 times and was fouled plenty of times thanks to his ability to stick to the ball.

Telasco Segovia-7/10

Played the energetic box-to-box midfield role as he impressed with his successful dribbling abilities. He won the ball smoothly and helped his side progress the ball seamlessly.

Jefferson Savarino-7/10

Peeled wide and delivered a lot of crosses into the box, but they rarely had a target on the end of them. Took up the chance creation duty and did it some justice.

Attackers

Josef Martinez-7/10

He was full of combative play as he won the ball and defended with a purpose to get his side forward. Failed to get a goal but was crucial in making everything tick for his side.

Salomon Rondon-8/10

The veteran striker is showing no signs of slowing down as he impressed again with his link-up play. He took his goal expertly and showed he can still lead the line with ease.

Substitutes

Yeferson Soteldo-6/10

Cristian Casseres Jr.-6/10

Leonardo Flores-6/10

Tomas Rincon-6/10

Jan Hurtado-6/10

Manager

Fernando Batista-8/10

His side was handed a gift-wrapped present early on in the game. They did well to not overcomplicate things and see the game out by also scoring another goal.

Bolivia National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Guillermo Viscarra-4/10

Conceded a shocking own goal as he failed to control a simple back pass. Did well to pull off a couple of saves later, but it was all too late to correct the initial mistakes.

Defenders

Diego Medina-6/10

He failed to match the tenacity of Martínez, who often dropped wide to take him on. Failed to get going in attack as well.

Luis Haquin-6/10

He was involved in a lot of build-up play for his side. Probably would've loved a bit more edge in his passing to break down the defence. Could've done better to prevent the second goal.

Efrain Morales-6.5/10

His presence in the backline allowed Bolivia to maintain a sense of calm as they struggled against Rondon at times. He was also responsible for passing quickly from the back.

Roberto Fernandez-6/10

The versatile player started a bit deeper at left-back as he brought both sides to this game. However, he couldn't do either role to a higher level to help his side.

Midfielders

Ervin Vaca-5/10

The youngster was a little lightweight in the middle as the opposition midfield dominated him in tackles. He needs to grow his rough side of the game to combine with his technique if he wants to have a real impact on the game.

Hector Cuellar-5/10

Played a harmless backpass, but it became an own goal for him as the keeper failed to get the basics right. He was replaced at halftime as he was waning in impact.

Attackers

Moises Paniagua-6.5/10

The seventeen-year-old always threatened to run in behind defences and almost scored one with one such run. Failed to manage the same intensity throughout the game.

Gabriel Villamil-6/10

Had plenty of chances to hurt the opposition as he showcased his potential. However, his decision-making let him down as he messed up the final ball.

Miguel Terceros-6.5/10

The makeshift striker played as a false nine. But his emphasis was more on dropping deep and creating chances, leaving no one in the middle to truly take them. It led to a bit of chaos in the middle.

Lucas Chavez-6/10

The winger had to focus on defending rather than attacking as Venezuela owned his entire flank. When he got the chance to attack, he couldn't be the most clinical one on the pitch.

Substitutes

Moises Villarroel-6/10

Diego Arroyo-6/10

Robson Matheus-6/10

Carmelo Algaranaz-6/10

Jhon Velasquez-6/10

Manager

Oscar Villegas-6/10

The manager had a shocking start to the game as his side conceded a cheap goal. It was his duty to lift them back up, but it wasn't possible for him. His young side was tossed aside quite easily as the manager failed to shore them up.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Salomon Rondon