►►Venezuela scored three second-half goals en route to a 3-0 win over Jamaica in the Copa America on Sunday, a result that secured the La Vinotinto top spot in Group B.
Eduard Bello gave the South American team the lead with a 49th-minute header at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, and Salomon Rondon doubled the advantage just before the hour after combining with Yangel Herrera.
Eric Ramirez put the result beyond doubt with a cool finish following Kervin Andrade’s clever through ball.
The result means Venezuela, who also beat Mexico and Ecuador in the group stage, will now face Canada in the quarterfinals. Jamaica are eliminated, having lost each of their three matches in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ecuador clinched second spot in the same group – and a berth in the last eight – following a goalless draw with Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Mexico were awarded a late penalty after Felix Torres appeared to trip Guillermo Martinez, but the decision was overturned following a review by the video assistant referee.
« We had to suffer a lot for this result but that shows the character this team has, » Ecuador captain Enner Valencia said. « We came close to scoring a few times, but we also knew that a draw would be enough to advance, which is why we were so focused on defending well. »
Ecuador will confront reigning champions Argentina in the next round while Mexico will be rueing another early exit from a major tournament. The Tricolor, who failed to reach the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup, have not advanced beyond the group stage in three of their past four Copa America appearances.
by Xinhua
