(Santa Clara) Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello scored in the second half and Venezuela came from behind to beat Ecuador 2-1 on Saturday night in a Copa America Group B match.
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 a second defeat in its last 10 clashes against Venezuela, in all competitions (4-2-5). The only other time came in the 2011 Copa America, when Venezuela triumphed 1-0.
Mexico wins its first match
In Houston, Gerardo Arteaga scored in the 69the minute from entering the penalty area, and Mexico beat Jamaica 1-0 on Saturday night in another Group B duel.
PHOTO KEVIN M. COX, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mexican Jorge Sanchez, left, tries to block a shot from Jamaican Greg Leigh.
“El Tri”, who participates for the 11the time at the South American championship as a guest, dominated the match and scored on his 17e shot.
Joel Latibeaudiere’s header was cleared by Luis Romo, who controlled the ball on one thigh and relayed it to Arteaga. His left-footed strike beat goalkeeper Jahmali Waite, the ball curling inside the far post, for his second goal in 25 caps.
Michail Antonio appeared to give Jamaica the lead with a close-range header in the 50the minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a video review.
Mexican captain Edson Álvarez came out in the 30e minute following a left hamstring injury and was replaced by Romo.
“El Tri” reached the semi-finals in 1997, 1999 and 2007. For their part, the “Reggae Boyz” are 0-7 in the tournament after eliminations in the group stage in 2015 and 2016.
“El Tri” has not lost to Jamaica since the Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final in 2017.