Venezuela hammered Jamaica 3-0 in Texas on Sunday to seal top spot in Group B and set up a Copa America quarterfinal 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.
In Sunday’s other match, Ecuador avoided a penalty shot in stoppage time after a review and earned a quarterfinal spot with a 0-0 draw against Mexico.
Mexico failed to get out of the group stage for the fourth time in its last five Copa America appearances.
Uruguay coach suspended for match vs. U.S.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has been suspended by South American soccer’s governing body for coming out late for the second half of the first two Copa America matches and will miss his team’s game against the United States on Monday.
The Confederation of South American Football said Sunday that Bielsa broke tournament rules and it fined the Uruguayan Soccer Association $15,000.
Source Agencies
