Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello scored in the second half and Venezuela came from behind to beat Ecuador 2-1 on Saturday night in the Copa America group stage.
Enner Valencia, who entered the tournament with expectations of leading his team’s attack, received a red card in the 22nde minute, forcing Ecuador to play with a man less.
Ecuador, however, took a 1-0 lead in the 40the minute, when Jeremy Sarmiento took advantage of a missed clearance from Kendry Paez.
Cadiz created the tie 1-1 thanks to a shot from around fifteen yards, in the 64the minute.
Bello gave Venezuela a 2-1 lead in the 74the minute, during a throw return. Alexander Gonzalez crossed the ball for Salomon Rondon, who redirected it with a header. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez made the save, but Bello hit the target.
Rondon returned to the starting lineup, having scored as a substitute in his team’s final friendly match.
Ecuador, 30e in the FIFA rankings, will face Jamaica in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Venezuela, 54ewill face Mexico in Inglewood on Wednesday.
Ecuador has suffered only two defeats in its last 10 matches against Venezuela, in all competitions (4-2-5). The other time came during the 2011 Copa America, when Venezuela triumphed 1-0.