Soccer-Venezuela seal top spot in Copa Group B with win over Jamaica

Copa Holdings

01/07/2024 03:02

AUSTIN, Texas, June 30 (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
)
 ((simon.jennings@thomsonreuters.com;))