(Austin) Canada will face Venezuela in the quarterfinals of the Copa America tournament following Venezuela’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica in one of two Group B matches on Sunday night.
Eduard Bello broke the 0-0 tie in the 49the minute of play and Venezuela completed the group stage with a perfect record of three wins in as many games, topping Group B.
The duel against Canada will be presented Friday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Bello scored the first goal of the match when he headed a cross from Jon Aramburu into the bottom right corner of the net.
It was Bello’s second goal of the tournament, having scored the game-winner in a 2-1 win over Ecuador in Venezuela’s first outing.
At 56e minute, Salomón Rondón took advantage of a pass from Yangel Herrera to unleash a left-footed shot from the centre of the penalty area that hit the goal.
Rondón also scored his second goal of the tournament, having scored on a penalty in Venezuela’s 1-0 victory over Mexico in his team’s second match.
Eric Ramirez scored the other goal for the winners in the 85th minute.e minute.
In front of the Venezuela net, Rafael Romo blocked the only shot on target he faced.
At the other end of the field, Jahmali Waite made no saves for Jamaica (0-3-0).
Ecuador qualifies in extremis
In Glendale, Ecuador avoided a penalty in stoppage time following a video review and advanced to the quarterfinals following a 0-0 draw with Mexico.
Referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca had initially awarded Mexico a penalty when Ecuador’s Felix Torres brought down Mexican striker Guillermo Martinez in the penalty area.
However, the video assistance referee overturned the penalty because Torres touched the ball. The Mexican team was therefore awarded a corner kick, a decision that provoked boos from Mexico fans in the stands at State Farm Stadium.
Ahead in terms of the difference between goals scored and conceded, Ecuador resisted Mexico’s momentum in the second half to finish second in Group B behind Venezuela.
In the quarterfinals on Thursday in Houston, Ecuador will face Argentina, which finished first in Group A.
For their part, Mexico was unable to qualify for the elimination round for the fourth time in its last five appearances at the Copa America, which could threaten the job of coach Jaime Lozano.