AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Venezuela hammered Jamaica 3-0 in Texas on Sunday to seal top spot in Group B and set up a Copa America quarter-final with Canada.
Venezuela had already booked their spot in the last eight with wins over Ecuador and Mexico and needed just a point against already eliminated Jamaica to clinch top spot and avoid facing defending champions Argentina in the next round.
Eduard Bello’s powerful downward header put the South Americans in front in the 49th minute and Salomon Rondon doubled their lead seven minutes later with a scuffed effort past Jamaica keeper Jahmali Waite.
Eric Ramirez added the third on the breakaway in the 85th minute.
Venezuela were joined in the last eight by Group B runners-up Ecuador, who qualified thanks to their superior goal difference after holding Mexico 0-0 in the other match, with both teams tied on four points.
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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