3 things we learned as Copa América Group B takes shape.

Copa América Group B continues to heat up, with Venezuela picking up their second win and Ecuador earning their first three points.

Here's our take on the happenings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Referees are the actual stars.

The two Group B games were packed with drama, but the majority of it was generated by the guys with the whistles.

In the evening's first game, Jamaica felt shortchanged when they were not awarded a penalty kick for what they perceived to be a similar handball to Ecuador's earlier penalty.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, each team was handed a penalty kick following long VAR reviews, but Venezuela was the only team to convert one of the two.

Scuffles erupted in both games, highlighting how badly the referees failed to manage the proceedings, but we've grown to expect this in CONMEBOL and CONCACAF matches.

There has been plenty to write and discuss throughout the first 12 games of the tournament, but let us hope that the quality of the players comes through in the coming weeks, rather than the color of the cards being used.

Missing quality where it counts

Mexico's ability to score goals was always going to be a problem going into the tournament. Santi Giménez's club form has been outstanding, but the Feyenoord player has yet to adapt that to international football.

Despite the absence of Edson Álvarez, Mexico managed to fire 18 shots towards Venezuela's goal. Although Carlos Rodríguez, Orbelín Pineda, and Cesar Huerta had chances late in the game, their talent was lacking compared to the previous generation's strikers.

The pressure is on Jaime Lozano, who was already under fire prior to the event. A third-round match against Ecuador might be defining for several El Tri players this generation.

Jeremy Sarmiento is someone to watch.

The Ipswich man, on loan from Brighton, has swiftly caught the attention of many football fans following his performance against Jamaica on Wednesday evening.

You couldn't take your eyes off Sarmiento when he had the ball, darting through the Jamaican midfield and defence and maintaining a threat at all times.

The winger received a thunderous ovation when his number appeared on the fourth official's board to be subbed off, and rightfully so. If Ecuador manages to get out of Group B, Sarmiento will be a player to monitor throughout the tournament. And if they do, he'll most likely be the cause.

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