Jamaica’s first historic goal in the America’s Cup has a very bitter taste: the Reggae Boyz lose 3-1 against Ecuador in Las Vegas and are already leaving the competition as the last of group B. Paez enchants, scores from a penalty and becomes the second scorer youngest of the tournament behind the Colombian Johnnier Montaño. Venezuela, however, snatched the pass to the quarter-finals: Rondon’s penalty goal was enough to crush Mexico (1-0) and secure first place with 6 points. Goalkeeper Romo was decisive as he saved Pineda’s penalty in the 88th minute and sealed Batista’s qualification for the national team.
Ecuador-Jamaica 3-1
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The talent of Kendry Paez illuminated the over 65,000 spectators at the Allegiant Stadium, who in the 6th minute sprinted on the edge of offside and sent it over the crossbar. Ecuador is more energetic and bold, playing with a 4-2-3-1 with the front four all born from 2000 onwards (Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento and Rodriguez). The Tricolor dominates the first quarter of an hour, with Jamaica never coming out. The effort was rewarded in the 13th minute when Hincapie sent a cross from the left which was deflected by Palmer, surprised Waite and scored with an incredible trajectory. Jamaica takes courage and takes control of the game but, thanks to a discreet quality, does not create opportunities. Leigh’s hand was penalized in first-half injury time: VAR, penalty. Paez doesn’t make a mistake from the spot, 2-0. Second half with strong Jamaican colours: in the 54th minute Antonio reopened it in the melee from a corner with a nice turn, writing history for his national team. Ecuador retreats, suffers, risks taking a penalty and finally closes it out on the restart in the 91st minute with Alan Minda. Second place and qualification against Mexico on the final day will be played out.
Venezuela-Mexico 1-0
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For the fourth time in its history, Venezuela reaches the quarter-finals of the Copa America. At the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Vinotinto was rewarded for the cynicism, concreteness and skill of its goalkeeper. In Mexico, Santiago Gimenez, the linchpin of the attack, disappoints once again: in the 19th minute he finds himself all alone but shoots weakly and centrally. Vasquez and his teammates play the game, Venezuela plays with a throw-in and long balls for Rondon, the most dangerous man and who shortly after the half hour hits the post with a left-footed shot. The former Newcastle center forward also dresses as a finisher and in the second half serves Soteldo, who kicks a central shot well blocked by Gonzalez. Mexico struggled to contain the external chains and it was precisely from a percussion by Mejias that the penalty was born in the 57th minute which brought Rondon to the spot to make it 1-0. With two to go, Lozano’s national team has the opportunity to equalize, again from the spot: a “save” in the area by Navarro was punished. Pineda (who came on in the 78th minute) took the lead and was hypnotized by an amazing Romo, already a protagonist against Ecuador in the opening match. Venezuela makes it two out of two and thus gets through to the quarterfinals with a day to spare, where they will face one of Canada, Chile or Peru.
